A Palmerton man has been honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, the highest award an adult Eagle Scout can achieve.

On May 25, A. Donald Behler was honored at the annual Minsi Trails Council Eagle Scout court of honor and recognition dinner for the Class of 2016 held at the Holiday Inn in Breinigsville. The award acknowledges Eagle Scouts who have a strong record of voluntary service to their community and have received a national level of recognition within their field.The only Eagle Scouts eligible for nomination are those who earned their rank of Eagle Scout a minimum of 25 years previously.Selection is made by the DESA Committee, composed of members who are also DESA recipients.Behler was presented the award by C. Richard Wilson, the Minsi Trails Council vice president of relationships. Wilson received a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1996."Only 2,000 out of 2.4 million Eagle Scouts have received the DESA award," Wilson said. "Behler is only the second person in the nation to receive the award this year. Past DESA recipients of note have included President Gerald Ford, Sen. Patrick Toomey and astronaut Neil Armstrong."Wilson highlighted key factors that contributed toward Behler's nomination. Behler served in the U.S. Navy with distinction during World War II. He generously supports his local community and other organizations such as the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society. He has been a respected leader in business and throughout Carbon County, being the owner of Blue Pressure Castings in Lehighton since 1966. He has provided more than 30 years of leadership with the Minsi Trails Council.Behler received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance at the recognition dinner."My service in the Navy and now this award from the Boy Scouts, it just does not get any better than this," Behler said. "It has been both an honor and a pleasure to serve with the Boy Scouts, and I have really enjoyed my scouting career."Behler also thanked his wife, Mary, of 69 years, who was also in attendance with one of their daughters, Judy, for her lifetime support."To see the Eagle Scouts being honored this evening, and to think there are so many more great, true Americans that we have to look forward to representing our country in the future is wonderful," Behler said. "I hope many of you continue your service to the scouting organization which I am sure you will, and maintain an active role within your local communities."Behler, currently 90 years old, has lived in Palmerton mostly all his life and has four children.His introduction to scouting happened in 1938 when he was 11 years old."I was working at my dad's gas station," Behler said. "The Scoutmaster for Troop 44 of Palmerton, Charles Donchez, came into the station one day and recruited me. Donchez picked me up onto the roof of his car and told me to join Scouts. Ten years later I received my rank of Eagle Scout."During his service with the U.S. Navy, Behler was stationed in the South Pacific. He received a commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for saving some of his fellow crew members off the shores of the Marshall Islands."It is such a pleasure to still be involved with the Boy Scouts," Behler said. "I contribute financially to the Boy Scouts camp in Kunkletown, Camp Trexler, and I make sure to visit the camp every year. One of the camp's recreational fields is also named after me.""I have some unforgettable moments from my scouting career," Behler said. "In 1940 one of my assignments was to greet people at the New York World Fair. I remember collecting cardboard to earn money to go to the fair. Legendary Major League Baseball player Joe DiMaggio was there, and I got his autograph.""During my first time at Camp Trexler, I woke up once with my hand in a bucket of water; something all rookies usually ended up going through," Behler said. "I lived through it though. Everything eventually dried."At the recognition dinner, I felt weak in the knees when the DESA award was presented to me," Behler said. "My stomach and head were going through circles."My family is very familiar with scouting," Behler said. "My son is an Eagle Scout, and currently works at our pressure casting company. My wife, Mary, has always approved and supported my involvement with the Boy Scouts and Minsi Trails Council."Behler's advice to all Boy Scouts: "Continue to live by the Scout Oath and Scout Laws. It is a good step forward to success in life."