Hero of the Second World War, the widow of Garlin Murl Conner, recipient of the Medal of Honor, remembers his extraordinary life

ALBANY, Ky. – Pauline Wells was a 15-year-old farmer when she and the rest of Albany, Kentucky, were found to host Garlin Murl Conner at the home of World War II.

"Dad decided that he would take us to the parade, so he hitched the horses to the wagon," she said.

Conner had pioneered a journey through North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany and had been awarded a staggering four-star hotel. 39 silver and a distinguished service cross.

"Mother said," Now he's here, "and I said," Well, god, that little wharf rat, he's never been able to do anything that they said that he did, "said Pauline.

His commander wrote that Conner was "one of the outstanding soldiers of this war, if not exceptional".

Pauline did not know it when she ran away and married her.

"Often, at night, he dreamed and woke up fighting," she said.

Conner died in 1998. Six years later, the researchers found affidavits from three of Conner's comrades describing how he had repelled the waves of attacking Germans in January 1945. They said he was there. took off like a bat from hell "source of enemy fire. They continue saying that a rain of light weapons and machine guns was focused on his position while he was calling for artillery on the Germans.

These affidavits finally done at the White House.

"They called me on a Friday and told me that I was going to receive an important call on Monday and I thought to myself, and if it was a scam … and I'm going to get it. I'm 88 years old, and if I'm alone here and if it's a scam? "Pauline said.

But she received a call from the president.

"I must say that it was one of the happiest days of my life, but really and truly, the happiest day was when I married her," said Pauline.

In 1945, Commander Conner wrote that he had "never seen a man with so much courage and ability." Seventy-three years later, Pauline accepted her husband's medal of honor, making this statement a part of American history.