94-year-old veteran honored for service during WWII

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - A 94-year-old veteran from Rhode Island is being honored for his service in World War II more than 70 years ago.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on Friday presented Benjamin “Benny” Carbone with medals he earned for his actions during the war.

Carbone joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943 and completed 50 combat missions on a B-24 aircraft by the time he was 20 years old. Carbone served as a ball turret gunner, who protect the plane from enemy aircraft.

Carbone was honorably discharged in October 1945. He later went on to be the plumbing inspector for the city of Providence.

Reed says veterans like Carbone “continue to inspire us and their contributions to our nation will not be forgotten.”