A U.S. Navy veteran of the attack on Pearl Harbor received some long overdue recognition Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., presented the survivors of Earl John Roney with seven medals at her Topeka office Tuesday.

It all started when Roney’s son, who lives in Carbondale, contacted Boyda to request a copy of his late father’s military records.

In doing so, Boyda’s staff discovered the family’s eligibility to receive the seven medals.

“This certainly makes so many things worth it and worthwhile, getting medals that should have been awarded years ago,” Boyda said. “This is a Pearl Harbor survivor, and it just warms everyone’s heart.”

Roney, who survived the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, was honored with the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

“You have no idea how proud he’d have been,” said Earl Roney, who is Earl John Roney’s son.