SMITHFIELD, N.C. – Sunday, Wilbert “Pete” Sellers finally received the honors he was long overdue.

• Sellers fought in the Battle of the Bulge
• His unit was captured, but he escaped the Nazis twice
• Initially, he says he felt like he didn't complete the mission

Sellers was a 20-year-old Army private when he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His unit was overrun, and he was captured. Twice, Sellers faced execution by the Nazis, and both times, his captors changed their minds. He finally escaped and made it back to American lines.

That's a significant service record, but for more than 70 years, the now 95-year-old man has refused any attempts to honor his service. The reason, in his eyes, he did not feel worthy.

"I felt like I hadn't done my job, like I hadn't finished it,” he said.

At the First Christian Church in Smithfield, he received two honors: the Bronze Star and POW Medals.

The Veteran's Legacy Foundation was responsible for making this ceremony happen.