2008 Woodie Awards
Metro briefs
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 1
UI alum honored with Tuskegee Airmen
A UI engineering alum received a Congressional Gold Medal at a Washington, D.C., ceremony on Thursday for his service with the Tuskegee Airmen.
As one of around 300 recipients, Luther Smith was bestowed the award by President Bush at 1 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, UI officials said.
The Des Moines native is an original member of the airmen. They flew 133 missions and destroyed a dozen German aircraft during World War II.
Smith, who now lives in Villanova, Pa., has already received numerous awards for his service, including eight Mediterranean and European Theater Campaign Ribbons, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart. He also received the Prisoner of War Medal for being held captive for seven months after parachuting unconscious from his burning airplane on his final combat mission.
Smith graduated with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering in 1950, and he is a member of the College of Engineering Alumni Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate degree in public service by Tuskegee University.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can give to a civilian; it was first awarded to George Washington in 1776.
- by Emileigh Barnes
Solon man charged with indecent contact
A Solon man was charged with indecent contact after Johnson County sheriff's officials alleged that he inappropriately touched a 12-year-old between April and August 2006.
The deputies said the Linn County Department of Human Services referred them to a possible sexual-abuse case against Dale Cooling. After interviews, authorities reported that Cooling had reportedly touched his accuser's breast and buttocks.
Cooling later admitted to the inappropriate touching, according to a police complaint.
Cooling now faces an aggravated misdemeanor charge of indecent contact with a child. According to the Iowa Code, such contact is defined as touching and fondling that "with or without the child's consent, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them."
- by Emileigh Barnes
A UI engineering alum received a Congressional Gold Medal at a Washington, D.C., ceremony on Thursday for his service with the Tuskegee Airmen.
As one of around 300 recipients, Luther Smith was bestowed the award by President Bush at 1 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, UI officials said.
The Des Moines native is an original member of the airmen. They flew 133 missions and destroyed a dozen German aircraft during World War II.
Smith, who now lives in Villanova, Pa., has already received numerous awards for his service, including eight Mediterranean and European Theater Campaign Ribbons, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart. He also received the Prisoner of War Medal for being held captive for seven months after parachuting unconscious from his burning airplane on his final combat mission.
Smith graduated with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering in 1950, and he is a member of the College of Engineering Alumni Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate degree in public service by Tuskegee University.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can give to a civilian; it was first awarded to George Washington in 1776.
- by Emileigh Barnes
Solon man charged with indecent contact
A Solon man was charged with indecent contact after Johnson County sheriff's officials alleged that he inappropriately touched a 12-year-old between April and August 2006.
The deputies said the Linn County Department of Human Services referred them to a possible sexual-abuse case against Dale Cooling. After interviews, authorities reported that Cooling had reportedly touched his accuser's breast and buttocks.
Cooling later admitted to the inappropriate touching, according to a police complaint.
Cooling now faces an aggravated misdemeanor charge of indecent contact with a child. According to the Iowa Code, such contact is defined as touching and fondling that "with or without the child's consent, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them."
- by Emileigh Barnes
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