On Memorial Day, May 27, a new monument for the Legion of Honor winners was added to Iola’s Walk of Honor.

The Legion of Merit recipient from Iola is Douglas W. Gjertson, who served in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Army. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. He served from April 1969 to Feb. 1, 2005.

According to the monument, the Legion of Merit’s criteria is “Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States.”

Iola’s Frank X Akey was present on May 27 to receive his Purple Heart due to his Vietnam service. He refused to accept the medal then because he didn’t want his mother to worry about him. Akey is also the recipient of the Bronze Star. He served in the U.S. Army from Dec. 27, 1965, through Sept. 30, 1967.

The Bronze Star’s criteria are “Awarded to an individual who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces in a combat theater, distinguished themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight.”