In September 1943, shortly after he graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School and turned 18 years old, John Wardell was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for the Rangers — elite troops whose heroism in World War II's European Theater became the stuff of legend.

On June 26, Wardell’s courage was recognized on in Washington, D.C., with one of America’s highest civilian honors.

The 99-year-old, who lives in Point Pleasant Borough, received the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

“John Wardell and his fellow Army Rangers fought with unmatched courage and tenacity under the most difficult conditions, met the enemy head on overcoming ferocious defenses while leading the invasion of Europe to ultimately secure victory and peace,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who attended the ceremony and in whose district Wardell lives. “We are forever grateful to these heroes and their extended family members for their sacrifice and service to our nation.”

“We didn’t do it for recognition,” Wardell said during the ceremony. “We did it out of duty to one another and to our country.”

Wardell arrived at Normandy in France shortly after D-Day as a replacement for Rangers who were killed or wounded during the June 6, 1944, landing at Omaha Beach. He was assigned to E Company 2nd Ranger Battalion, conducting enemy patrols. From there, E Company fought its way through Europe, engaging in heavy fighting at Brest, France, and at the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest near the Belgian/German border.

At Bergstein, Germany, in December 1944, Wardell was wounded during the Battle of Hill 40, but he returned to action weeks later as the company continued to fight its way across Germany.

“Today, we remember some of America's fiercest defenders and we remember their service and sacrifice, and we remember that every day that we rise in a free nation, free to speak and to pray, and to live unafraid,” Johnson said during the ceremony. “We enjoy the fruits of liberty paid for by men like these. God bless you all for that service.”