NC congressman helps find, return WWII medals missing for 74 years to late soldier's family

Pfc. Raymond L. Vick was 19 and serving with the 89th Infantry Division when he was killed March 26, 1945, according to The Pilot of Southern Pines, North Carolina. Vick wrote his final letter to his family in Nash County the day he was killed, the newspaper reported.

Jean Brady, Vick's sister, was 8 when her brother was killed, WTVD reported. She has maintained a collection of artifacts from her brother's career, but his World War II victory medal and honorable service lapel -- both awarded posthumously -- have been missing for nearly 75 years, the television station reported.

Brady spoke with U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina, at the Moore County's annual Ronald Reagan Dinner in Pinehurst, The Pilot reported. Hudson offered to have his staff track down the medals.

A staff member contacted Brady last week to tell her the medals, had been found, the newspaper reported.

"When his office called and told me they had (my brother's) medal, I was so excited I was bouncing off the wall," Brady told The Pilot.

On Monday, Hudson and his staff presented the medal and lapel pin to Vick during a ceremony in front of American Legion Post No. 12 in Carthage, the newspaper reported.