WWII veterans given French honors
Six Michigan men are awarded the Legion of Honor Medal for their wartime
heroics
Steve Pardo / The Detroit News
Detroit -- They fought in Normandy, in the Ardennes and Northern France
campaigns and helped liberate towns from Nazi occupiers in the pivotal
months of World War II.
For those efforts, six Michigan veterans were awarded for their wartime
heroics Wednesday with the French Legion of Honor Medal, the highest honor
the county bestows. It was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is
widely considered one of Europe's most prestigious civic honors.
"Thanks to their courage, to our American friends and allies, France has
been living in peace for the past six decades. We shall never forget,"
said Jean-Baptiste de Boissière, Consul General of France, based out of
Chicago.
They served with different divisions and different roles: field artillery,
infantry, military police and bombardment. They were, however, united in
their efforts in beating back the Germans, de Boissière said.
About 30 people gathered at the John D. Dingell Veteran's Affairs Medical
Center to witness the ceremony honoring Chester Miles, 86, of Brighton;
William McKeon, 86 of Hartland; John Roberts, 85, of Bloomfield Hills;
George Vidusic, 85, of Livonia; Valerian Przygocki, 86, of Bay City; and
Otis J. Conrad of Columbiaville, north of Lapeer. Conrad was given the
medal posthumously. He died last September at the age of 85.
"Our countries have been together a long time," said Roberts, as de
Boissière pinned the medal to his lapel.
"It's like a marriage. You don't always get along -- there are a few
disagreements -- but you survive."
The award was previously only awarded to American military personnel from
World War I. But in 2004, the 60th anniversary of D-Day, France began
honoring World War II American soldiers. About 800 medals have been
awarded over the last five years.
The six honored Wednesday served in dozens of campaigns and collected more
than 40 medals and other accolades for their service. The medals included
Purple Hearts, Bronze Battle Stars, and Good Conduct medals. There were
tears from audience members and from the veterans themselves during the
medals presentation.
"I was petrified all the time I was there," said Miles, who enlisted in
January of 1943 at the age of 19. "Anybody who says that they weren't --
they're lying. But I had a job to do and I did it. I was lucky."
"This is the greatest generation, no doubt about it," said Vidusic's son,
Ralph.
"There never was a generation like that. And there probably will never be
again." |
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Back row Left to Right:
Unknown, Raymond J. Holston, Robert M. Ramsey, Conway C. Stone
George R. Vidusic, U.F. Troxclair, G.C. Reynolds Jr.
Front row Left to Right:
Clarence O. Zinn, Alphonso A. Stango, Benjamin Guberman, Unknown
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