Howard Miskelly awarded Bronze Star

Posted on: January 17,2014

Howard Miskelly, left, his wife, Ann, and Oscar Miskelly, following the presentation of the Bronze Star at the Mississippi State Captiol Friday.

World War II veteran Howard Miskelly, father of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame board president Oscar Miskelly, today was presented the Bronze Star in ceremonies at the State Capitol.
The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat decoration and recognizes meritorious service in battle.
U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper and Governor Phil Bryant made the presentation.
Howard Miskelly, 88-year-old founder of Miskelly Furniture, fought in Belgium, Holland and Germany. He served as a Squad Leader during the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaign and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.
Both Harper and Bryant praised Howard Miskelly at length in their remarks. Howard Miskelly’s acceptance speech lasted 10 seconds, tops.
“First, you can’t imagine how much it cost me to get them to make these nice remarks. Second, I didn’t know I had this many friends,” Miskelly said. “Third, God bless you, and I love you all.”
Said a beaming Oscar Miskelly said. “You don’t understand. That was a lengthy speech for Dad.”