By Thomas Brading, Army News Service
WASHINGTON -- One of the most celebrated World War II tank gunners received the bronze star Wednesday, during a surprise award ceremony 74-years in the making. Clarence Smoyer, 96-year-old former 3rd Armored Division tank gunner, never bragged about the five tanks he destroyed in the war, including an infamous Nazi tank he leveled during a dramatic duel in war-torn Cologne, Germany. He didn't ask for anything, either. To Smoyer, he was just doing his job to protect the men he considers family. DUEL AT THE CATHEDRAL
