Mahlon Conaway, 98, of Perry was recently named the 2024 Iowa VFW Veteran of the Year, the highest annual award bestowed by the Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Conway, a member of the Floyd Foster VFW Post 2060 in Perry, received the award May 30 at the 103rd annual convention of the Iowa VFW, convened at the Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center in Des Moines.
Conaway is a member of the Greatest Generation and served in World War II. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and received infantry training at what is now called Fort Hood, Texas. He shipped out overseas, landing at Omaha Beach in September 1944 and serving as a rifleman and driver in the 36th Infantry Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment, Company G, in France.
Conaway was awarded a Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious achievement or service, with three Battle Stars. In 2015 he received the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest military distinction awarded by the government of France.
Conaway received the award in ceremonies conducted by Russell “Doc” Saffell, Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars State Adjutant, and Denny Snow, Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander.
