Cox gets his service medals more than 50 years overdue
By COBY LaRUEStaff
Alva "Kyle" Cox of Sparta was awarded several long-overdue medals last Friday at the Alleghany County Courthouse's courtroom.
Cox was awarded the medals for his service in World War II, more than 50 years after the war ended. The medals he was presented included the Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, an American Defense Service Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, an Honorable Service Lapel Button, an Arrow Head, a Silver Service Star and three Bronze Service Stars.
The medals were presented by representatives of Sen. John Edwards. Edwards was unable to attend because he was still in Washington in an active session of the U.S. Senate. Presenting the awards were Jo Malone, the senator's area representative; and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alston Bossieux, a volunteer in the Senator's Greensboro office. Bossieux is also a veteran of World War II.
Alva "Kyle" Cox stands at attention as he receives one of his medals
for his service in World War II more than 50 years after being honorably
discharged from service. Presenting the medals are Jo Malone (not
pictured), the senator's area representative; and retired U.S. Air Force
Lt. Col. Alston Bossieux (left), a volunteer in the senator's Greensboro
office. Bossieux is also a veteran of World War II. Bossieux pinned all
of the medals on Cox's jacket on the left side, as he said would have
been done originally if the medals had been presented to Cox in the
field.
