PARSONS ? When Charles “Virgil” Camren got out of the Navy at the end of World War II, he was in such a hurry to get home that he didn’t wait around to get his medals. However, because of the efforts of his granddaughter, Camren has received some of the decorations due to him 61 years ago.

Camren, 84, received a package from the Department of the Navy last month. The package included the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Honorable Service lapel pin and the Honorable Discharge button.

In person, Camren downplays the significance of receiving the medals. But his granddaughter, Sandra Barclay, of Altamonte Springs, Fla., said he was very excited.

“It’s huge to think someone would wait this long to get these medals,” Barclay said.

Barclay’s mission began in August when she was visiting her family in Parsons. Camren told her about his war experiences. Barclay has heard many of the stories over the years but always enjoys listening to her grandpa share what he went through.

This time, Camren asked his granddaughter a question.

“He said, ‘Sandra, can you find my medals?'” Barclay said.

That simple request was enough for Barclay to do whatever it took to help her grandfather.

“He is my grandfather. I love him dearly,” Barclay said. “I would’ve done whatever I could to get them.”

Fortunately, it turned out to be a relatively painless process.

“I thought it would be more difficult than it was,” she said.

When Barclay returned to Florida, she wrote letters to every Navy office she could think of. Within a matter of weeks she began receiving responses. Once she was directed to the appropriate office, it was simply a matter of filling out forms and she was told that her grandpa’s medals were on their way.

However, Camren said he was promised a few medals that he probably will never get. During his service he found it necessary from time to time to break Navy regulations to save his life or the life of others. Although his immediate superiors seemed to appreciate his efforts, Camren said he figured that if some of the events were reported to the Navy he would be court-martialed.

“The Navy would probably pick me up and still arrest me,” he said.