When 96-year-old Clarence Smoyer came to Washington, he thought he was heading to the Pentagon to sign copies of a book detailing his exploits as a World War II tank gunner.
Instead, he found a full Army color guard and ceremony awarding him a Bronze Star, 75 years after the battle that made him a hero.
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When 96-year-old Clarence Smoyer came to Washington, he thought he was heading to the Pentagon to sign copies of a book detailing his exploits as a World War II tank gunner.
The Army ruled last month that Smoyer deserved the medal and helped arrange Wednesday's surprise at Washington's World War II memorial.
World War II veterans Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, Joseph Caserta and Buck Marsh bow their heads during a ceremony to present the Bronze Star to Smoyer at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veteran Buck Marsh, center, talks with two active duty military members before a ceremony to present a Bronze Star to Clarence Smoyer, at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Joseph Caserta, left, and Clarence Smoyer, 96, embrace before a ceremony to present the Bronze Star to Smoyer at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, and Joseph Caserta smile after Smoyer was presented the Bronze Star at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, walks to receives the Bronze Star from U.S. Army Maj. Peter Semanoff, right, at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, Joseph Caserta and Buck Marsh salute during a ceremony to present the Bronze Star to Smoyer at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
Smoyer, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was part of a famous duel in Cologne, Germany, where his Pershing tank destroyed a German Panther tank. The battle was captured on film and Smoyer became known as the "Hero of Cologne." But he was denied a Bronze Star at the time due to a minor disciplinary issue.
World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 96, receives the Bronze Star from U.S. Army Maj. Peter Semanoff at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
The Army ruled last month that Smoyer deserved the medal and helped arrange Wednesday's surprise at Washington's World War II memorial.
World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 96, sits before receiving the Bronze Star at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, Joseph Caserta and Buck Marsh bow their heads during a ceremony to present the Bronze Star to Smoyer at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veteran Buck Marsh, center, talks with two active duty military members before a ceremony to present a Bronze Star to Clarence Smoyer, at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Joseph Caserta, left, and Clarence Smoyer, 96, embrace before a ceremony to present the Bronze Star to Smoyer at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, and Joseph Caserta smile after Smoyer was presented the Bronze Star at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, walks to receives the Bronze Star from U.S. Army Maj. Peter Semanoff, right, at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
World War II veterans Clarence Smoyer, 96, left, Joseph Caserta and Buck Marsh salute during a ceremony to present the Bronze Star to Smoyer at the World War II Memorial, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany — a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
