MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- ANAHEIM - Most dads got their hero's due on Father's Day. But for one granddad - a true military hero - his accolades came not in the form of a necktie, but belated bronze.
How belated? 62 years.
Former Marine Cpl. Tommie Burns, 81, received his Bronze Star Medal for heroism Sunday at Modjeska Park. It included a "V" for action on Guam more than six decades ago. He also collected a Purple Heart and several campaign medals denoting his service on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Efate, New Hebrides and the Marianas Islands during World War II.
Burns, who served as a flame-thrower, was "humbled" at being recognized so many years after his gallant actions in the Pacific.
"I did nothing more than anyone else in the same outfit," Burns said. "I don't consider myself a hero."
Burns' granddaughter, Michelle R. Fontenot, started the quest to obtain the awards for granddad more than 12 years ago.
"My grandmother (Burns' wife) really wanted him to have those awards, and she always mentioned how something needed to be done," said Fontenot, 38, from Downey.
"I never thought it would take this long, but I am very happy that he's still alive to receive his awards," added Fontenot, who lamented that many World War II veterans pass away before ever being recognized.
Burns never told family members about any of his combat actions, they said. They found out for the first time during the presentation.
"I didn't know anything about what he did," said Eric J. Oden, 30, Burns' grandson, also of Anaheim. "He never talked about it."
On the contrary, he downplayed his involvement in the war, said Burns' daughter, Diana L. Burns, 59, who put together the awards ceremony.
"If he found out that we were presenting him with the award today, he would not have showed up," said Burns.
Burns, who also was promoted to sergeant during the ceremony, recalled how he felt during fighting on the islands.
"I was only 19 back then and I was scared to death," he said.
On the military side, Lt. Col. Norman G. Root, the commanding officer of Mobilization Support Battalion, coordinated the ceremony and presented the awards. He was contacted two months ago and jumped at the chance to lend support, he said.
"I am honored to be a part of something like this. The reason the Marine Corps is here is because of things like this," he said, alluding to Burns' heroism.
He chalked up the six-decade delay to lost or insufficient documentation.