A World War II Army veteran who served at Normandy and in the European theater was honored posthumously on Saturday with the presentation of a second Bronze Star Medal.

Staff Sergeant William “Wash” Bybel of Coaldale, who died July 23, 2013, at the age of 94, was awarded the medal “for heroic achievement” during his actions on August 4, 1944. He served with the U.S. Army’s 22nd Infantry.

The presentation of the medal was made to Bybel’s son, Michael, at Michael’s Summit Hill home on Saturday by U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Mackenzie said the medal was for Bybel’s actions during the liberation of Brest, France, during which William was seriously wounded.

The first Bronze Star Medal that was given to Bybel had been for his participation in the Normandy invasion on D-Day plus 1.

Saturday’s presentation occurred in the living room of Michael’s home, which is fastidiously decorated to his father’s memory. There’s a large display case containing the many medals and awards bestowed upon William, including a Purple Heart. A black-and-white framed photo shows William in his military uniform reading a letter from home. A framed portrait of William is on a table. A large American flag drapes the sofa. In front of the display case is a box with all the letters William had written while serving in World War II.

Attending the presentation besides the congressman and Michael were Michael’s wife, Celeste; Arnaud Armstrong, communications director for Mackenzie; Rochelle Pasquariello of Mackenzie’s Lehighton office, and Scott Reinhart, a member of the Carbon County Navy Club.

Michael said his father “never talked about what went on in the war.”

While William was serving in Europe, two other brothers — Paul and Andy — were serving in the Pacific Theater. Both brothers returned home safely.

William escaped death in France by a fraction of an inch when his nose was shot off, said Michael. When he returned home, plastic surgery was performed to repair the inflicted damage.

Celeste said she read the letters he sent home, and one stands out very vividly. She said when he got injured, he wrote a letter to his niece, Eve, saying “Don’t tell Mom.” Of course, his mother already received notification from the War Department. He and Eve wrote regularly to one another, Celeste said.

In making the presentation, Congressman Mackenzie said, “We’re very happy to hear about his meritorious service.” The medal that was presented contains a “V” for valor and an oak cluster.

“We were totally unexpected by all of this,” Celeste said. “This is a very big event for us.”

Besides the medal, Mackenzie presented the family with a letter from the Department of the Army, a certificate from the congressman and an American flag which flew over the nation’s capital.

Celeste said of her late father-in-law, “He felt the Army is a good place. He always had good things to say about the Army. It has good opportunities. It makes you tougher, but it disciplines you. He said he felt privileged to serve in the Army and serve our country.”

Michael said his father was drafted into the Army and was either the youngest or the first in Schuylkill County that was drafted. At the time he was drafted, he was working for the Conservation Corps helping to build the Appalachian Trail.

He lived in Coaldale all of his life. After leaving the Army, he married the former Anna Vargovich of Lansford, who passed away in 1996.

He enrolled in machinist school and worked for Bundy Tubing, Hometown, for 30 years.

Besides Michael, he has a son, William J. Bybel, of Grand Ledge, Michigan, and a daughter, Priscilla, wife of Paul Martin, also of Grand Ledge, Michigan; as well as four grandchildren; a brother, Paul of Coaldale, a sister, Eve Dempsher of Rockville, Maryland, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by six brothers and two infant sisters.