It took Sgt. Melvin “Wes” Boyd 61 years to receive the Bronze Star he deserved for helping his fellow servicemen out of the Rhine River under fire in 1945. But like a good Montanan, U.S. Sen. Max Baucus said, Boyd “didn’t make a big fuss out of it.”

Baucus, D-Mont., awarded the 84-year-old Dillon man the medal before a crowd of about 75 cheering family members, veterans and members of the Montana National Guard.

Boyd, then a corporal in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was in a patrol boat with about 10 men when it came under fire from German guns. Some fell overboard, and Boyd got them out of the Rhine’s April waters before guiding the craft to safety. Four made it to shore.

“You do what you got to do,” he said after the ceremony at the Helena Regional Airport.

Baucus said Boyd’s selfless act reminds Americans of their good fortune to live among those who will sacrifice to protect the nation’s freedoms and opportunities.

“It’s these men and women who have done so much for America and they deserve recognition,” he said.

Boyd received a citation for his actions, but for unknown reasons never received the medal. His family contacted Baucus’ office in June, and the senator verified the citation through the Army, which issued the medal for Thursday’s presentation.

The Bronze Star is awarded for heroism in connection to operations against an armed enemy.

Boyd said he didn’t anticipate the big to-do.

“It’s an honor,” he said. “I never expected it. Certainly nothing like this, for heaven’s sake.”

He left the corps on Dec. 21, 1945, after three years’ service, returned to Montana to ranch and raise five children with his wife of 63 years, Wayve.

Baucus said he loves honoring people like Boyd for their service.

“It means so much to me personally,” he said.

His nephew, Marine Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus of Wolf Creek, died July 29 in combat operations in Iraq. He was 28.

Through tears, Mike Boyd said he hoped his father’s award brings broader attention to the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces.

“We hope that it honors the entire military that protects this country and keeps it as strong and as free as it is,” he said.

Larry Kline can be reached at 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com.