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WWII Vet Killed While Raking Leaves In Salem

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Oct 28, 2009 11:50 am US/Eastern

WWII Vet Killed While Raking Leaves In Salem

SALEM, Mass. (AP) ―

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A World War II veteran who won a Silver Star for valor was struck and killed by a car as he raked leaves in front of his Salem home.

Police say 87-year-old Philias Verrette Sr. was standing in the street raking leaves at about 4:30 p.m. Monday when a driver, who said his sight was impeded by solar glare, struck him.

The state police accident reconstruction team is investigating and no charges have been filed.

His brother-in-law, Frank Swasey, tells The Salem News that Verrette was in the second wave of troops to land in Normandy on D-Day and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned a Silver Star in February 1945 for single-handedly holding off a German counterattack until relief arrived.