18, 2019, and in a photo from World War II. Clarence Smoyer, at left, receiving the Bronze Star in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Smoyer's tank commander and the military cameraman who filmed the battle received Bronze Stars of their own. A military police officer saw him searching his pockets for bubble gum to give to a crowd of German children and charged him with fraternization with the enemy. Smoyer was told soon after that he would receive the Bronze Star, but a few days later he ran afoul of a minor disciplinary issue that cost him his medal.

The battle was captured on film and Smoyer became known as the 'Hero of Cologne.' Smoyer has been credited with destroying five tanks in the war. Smoyer, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was part of a famous March 6, 1945, battle in Cologne, Germany. Smoyer is the last living member of his crew manning a Pershing tank destroyed a German Panther tank in a pivotal battle about nine months after D-Day. Instead, he found a full Army color guard and ceremony awarding him a Bronze Star, almost 75 years after the battle that made him a hero. Washington, D.C.- When 96-year-old Clarence Smoyer came to Washington on Wednesday, he thought he was heading to the Pentagon to sign copies of 'Spearhead,' a recent book detailing his exploits as a World War II tank gunner.

WWII 'Hero of Cologne' awarded Bronze Star in surprise ceremony 01:14

Tank battle cologne 1945