War veteran dentist honoured
A Spanish Fort dentist has won the title of Veteran of the Year 2009.
Dr Barry Booth, a veteran of the war with Vietnam, was awarded the honour by the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Day Commission for his efforts to establish HonorFlight South Alabama.
The award, which was presented at a Veterans Day lunch at Fort Whiting Auditorium, also recognised Dr Booth’s tireless work to establish a veterans cemetery at Saluda Hill which was state-owned.
Retired Colonel Patrick Downing said that neither of these things could have been achieved without Dr Booth’s efforts.
Humbled by the award, Dr Booth said receiving the title was a tremendous honour and a huge responsibility.
He added that he never expected that he would be considered for this title and said that his achievements were due to the hard work of many other people that strived alongside him.
HonorFlight South Alabama is part of a national scheme to transport World War II veterans to Washington so that they can visit all the monuments dedicated to their service.
Dr Booth, who was born in Charleston, West Virginia, studied at Auburn University in 1962 and at School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama in 1966.
He was then commissioned as a lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve and volunteered for duty in Vietnam, being deployed to the Naval Support Activity in the US Naval Hospital DaNang.
In 1967 Dr Booth volunteered as a Medical Civil Action Patrol dental officer in both the US Army 5th Special Forces and the 3rd Marine Division.
Among his many military honours, Dr Booth received a Vietnam Service Medal, a Gold Parachutist Device and a US Navy Unit Commendation.
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