Rockford Navy vet gets medal of honor from Russia

A U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II has received a Medal of Honor — from Russia.

Delbert Dauenbaugh, of Rockford, recently received the Medal of Ushakov, which is given to military personnel who demonstrated courage during the defense of the Soviet Union.

Dauenbaugh served as a signalman on the SS Hawkins Fudske, a cargo ship that ran supplies to two Russian ports from the Britain, Ireland and Belgium.

He joined the Navy at the age of 17.

His duties included standing on the ship’s bridge and sending and receiving messages with flags, flashing lights and Morse code.

The Rockford Register Star reports the award was sent from the Russian Embassy in Washington.

Dauenbaugh says that “after 70 years, it’s pretty good Russia remembered what we did.”