CHARLOTTETOWN — Two P.E.I. veterans of the Second World War who served with the fearsome Devil's Brigade have been awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal.

Lawrence "Junior" Durant, 85, of Charlottetown and his cousin Ray Durant, 86, who now lives in Ottawa, can add the bronze star to their impressive list of military accolades.

The medal is awarded to those who distinguished themselves while serving with the U.S. Army by "heroic or meritorious achievement...in connection with military operations against an armed enemy."

Both of the Durants volunteered at the same time with the First Special Service Force, the joint Canadian-American commando unit better known as the Devil's Brigade.

The one-of-a-kind military unit was perhaps most noted for conducting night raids on the German lines, leaving a calling card that read, in German, "The worst is yet to come."

The force was known for training including parachuting, skiing and mountain climbing, as well as extreme marches with immensely heavy packs on their backs.