Compassionate Monticello veteran to get his award — 60 years later

MONTICELLO – On July 16, 1946, Steve Varner of Monticello received a letter from the Italian government saying it was awarding him its Military Cross for Valor for his compassion in sparing the lives of hundreds of Italian soldiers in North Africa during World War II.

Unfortunately, the war bankrupted the Italian treasury, so there was no money to pay for Varner's medal.

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