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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A rare medal stolen from a war hero's home is replaced, and while it's not the original, Lt. Frank Macon said it's good to have it back.

Macon was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the most prestigious award given to civilians, showing national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

Macon used to proudly display his medal in his Colorado Springs home until it was stolen during a burglary last May. 

"When I first discovered it was gone, well it was just a shock. It was like the whole world just disappeared," Macon said.

Macon said the award represented all the sacrifices made by his fellow Airmen.

"It symbolizes all the effort that every one of the Tuskegee Airmen made during World War II, and all the things that we had to fight, other than the enemy of course," Macon said.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military pilots in the Armed Forces and fought for racial equality.

"Indeed their outstanding service to our nation and their bravery is well documented in our nation's history, and certainly in our Air Force's heritage," Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, U.S. Air Force, said.

On Friday Macon was presented with a replica of his medal at the Air Force Academy in front of close friends, family, and other Tuskegee Airmen.

"I was very upset when I had heard that his medal had been stolen, and I was really depressed about that," Jim Ruder, a long time friend of Macon's, said.

Ruder was there to see Macon get his replacement.

"When I talked to him the other day he told me that everything had been taken care of, and the generals were getting him a new one, I couldn't have been happier for him, and for me too. It just made me feel better," Ruder said.

It's understood that the replica will never replace the original, but Macon said words can't explain how it feels to have it back.

"To have it back in my hands again, I just can't express the great feeling that I have because of all the people that put out all the effort that it was to receive the medal again, and I really appreciate all the effort that was put into it," Macon said.

Macon said he still plans on proudly displaying his award, just in a slightly different fashion.

"It will be put in a secure place, and I'll just take a picture and put that on the wall," he said.