103-year-old former Army medic finally receives eight medals he should have been given 76 years after saving countless lives on a WWII battlefield

A 103-year-old World War II veteran has finally been honored for his time in the military - 76 years after he helped save countless lives on the battlefield.

Peter Fantasia, of Somerville, Massachusetts, served as a US Army medic in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division.

He was captured one night in 1944 in Rodalbe, France, while tending to wounded men in a foxhole and spent the next six months as a prisoner of war until being liberated by Russian forces in April 1945.

Fantasia was awarded nine medals for his service, but did not receive eight of those honors until last week.

US Rep Seth Moulton worked directly with the military to track down the medals Fantasia was supposed to have received decades earlier - including the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and American Defense Service Medal.

Moulton, a former Marine, presented Fantasia with the medals at a special ceremony Monday in Reading.

Fantasia had previously received his Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for valor in combat.

'God has been good. I don't know what to say,' Fantasia told WHDH.

He expressed gratitude for his fellow soldiers and said they were with him in spirit.

Moulton said of Fantasia: 'He is a true example to the rest of the country and the community what American heroism is all about.'

Fantasia's family proudly stood by his side as he was honored with the eight additional awards.

'To us, he's dad. He has always put other people first,' Fantasia's daughter Martha Mesiti said. 'But, to have other people recognize how special he is — that's amazing.

'What he did in his life before us, it's...it's...breathtaking.'