CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI (WSAU) A World War II veteran from Chippewa Falls died in his sleep the day after being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Raleigh Nayes, 99, was a part of Merrill’s Marauders. The group, named for Bridadere General Frank Merrill, attacked Japanese forces from behind enemy lines in Burma in 1944.
All members of the unit, many posthumously, were given the Congressional Medal of Honor last fall.
The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reports that Nayes received his medal on April 20th at the nursing home where he was living. He died in his sleep the following morning.
