100-year-old World War II veteran, Dr. Maury Irvine, received the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday. Born in San Francisco, Irvine moved to Montana and graduated from Butte High in 1941. His interest in joining the Navy was sparked by Pearl Harbor and WW2, but his blindness prevented him from serving in most forces. Despite this obstacle, Irvine joined the Merchant Marine as a radio officer, using his experience with radios to serve his country until 1946.
When asked about his time in the Merchant Marine, Irvine expressed his love for his service, stating that he enjoyed every minute of it. Congressman Ryan Zinke, a Navy SEAL veteran representing Montana and its many veterans and heroes, presented Irvine with the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday. Zinke felt honored to recognize Irvine for his courage during WW2 and his accomplishments post-war. Past recipients of the award include Sir Winston Churchill and George Washington, highlighting the prestigious nature of the Congressional Gold Medal.
Dr. Irvine received the award for his brave service during WW2 and his work developing early digital computer versions after the war. His contributions to technology have left a lasting impact, particularly his innovation in making computers small enough to fit into airplanes. In an interview following the presentation of the medal, Irvine expressed his gratitude for the honor one last time, reflecting on the significance of the award and his journey as a veteran.
Irvine’s story is an inspiration to many who served during WWII and beyond. His bravery in joining the Merchant Marine despite being blind is a testament to his determination to fight for freedom and serve his country