WASHINGTON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A 104-year-old World War II veteran was celebrated Friday at an event in Washington, Ind., where he received the highest honor the Governor of Indiana can bestow.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter brought the award by helicopter to the event today. There, Carter presented 104-year-old Ned Kent the “Sagamore of the Wabash” award on behalf of Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Kent served four years and nine months in the US Army. Carter helped petition for Kent to get the award after they met during memorial services at the State Police post in Jasper, Ind.
“I feel fantastic,” Kent said upon receiving the award. “I’m very, very honored to receive an award such as this. It came as a total surprise.”
“I’m very grateful to him and that generation,” Carter said. “And I’m very grateful and humbled to be able to be down and stand with him.”
Kent is originally from Knox County, Ind. He and his wife lived in Sandborn, Ind. for 62 years.