Wife's 35 year quest recovers WWII vet's medals

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - For some 35-years, Thelma Middleton has worked to get a hold of her late husband’s WWII medals.

She said her children have always wanted to see them.

“It meant so much to them because my grandchildren, they didn't know him,” said Middleton. 

Before they married, her late husband Emmett Wilsey, was stationed on the USS Nevada at only 19 years old. He lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Middleton said shrapnel went through his back and blew out his stomach. He spent the next 18 months in recovery before moving back to Baldwin County where he met Middleton. She said he was unable to return to active duty.

Wilsey died in 1977 from a brain tumor. She said she noticed Wilsey earned several medals and with a little push from her children began her journey to track them down.

Her mission was complete after a call to Congressman Joe Bonner’s office back in February ended with results.

“(Naval Officials) told me to get in touch with my congressman. Well, I did. I called Jo Bonner who was very, very nice; and it wasn't but a little while before he wrote me a letter,” she said.

Middleton said a little more than a month later she got word that the medals were on their way.