Officials honored a Westmoreland County veteran Saturday for his World War II service.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy awarded James Clark with a purple heart, a good conduct medal and several other awards.

Clark, from North Huntingdon, was on an offensive in Cologne, Germany in 1944. He manned a 50-caliber machine fun to protect his unit.

Clark was hospitalized for months in Germany after an injury, but refused to be sent home.

“I could have gone home, but I didn’t want to,” Clark said. “The war was almost over and I wanted to stay there with the rest of the troops.”

Clark worked as an engineer at Westinghouse Electric in East Pittsburgh for 42 years after being discharged.

Over the years he lost most of his medals, which is why they were replaced at Saturday’s ceremony.