Dr. Maury Irvine, a 100-year-old World War II veteran born in San Francisco, received the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday. Irvine moved to Montana and graduated from Butte High in 1941. When asked about his time in the Merchant Marine, Irvine expressed his love for his service, stating that he enjoyed every minute of it.
Congressman Ryan Zinke, a Navy SEAL veteran, presented Irvine with the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday. Zinke felt honored to recognize Irvine for his courage during WW2 and his accomplishments post-war. Past recipients of the award include Sir Winston Churchill and George Washington, highlighting the prestigious nature of the Congressional Gold Medal.
Dr. Irvine’s contributions to technology have left a lasting impact on society as well. He was instrumental in developing early digital computer versions after the war, including making computers small enough to fit into airplanes. His bravery during WW2 and his technological innovations have been recognized by many as groundbreaking achievements in history.
Irvine expressed his gratitude for the honor one last time, reflecting on the significance of the award and his journey as a veteran who faced challenges but persevered through them all.