Honoring the service of American WWII veterans (Summer 2021) [fr]
In this period of commemoration during which we are mark the 77th anniversary of the Normandy landings, Consul General Vincent Hommeril presented the Legion of Honor to four American veterans of the Second World War.
Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the French Legion of Honor is the highest decoration bestowed in France and recognizes outstanding services to the French Republic. Nearly 80 years after the end of World War II, France remembers all those who risked their lives to liberate France and Europe.
During ceremonies held in our region in May and June, the Consul General presented a medal to the following veterans on behalf of the President of the French Republic:
- In May, at the request of his family, E.D. Witherspoon, a resident of Gadsden, Alabama, received his medal by mail. The medal recognized his military service as an armorer / gunner in the U.S. Army Air Force. Mr. Witherspoon participated in the Southern France, Air Offensive Europe, Air Combat Balkans and other military campaigns. In 1944, he was taken prisoner during one of his missions and thereafter, one of the thousands of prisoners forced to cross the region on foot. He was liberated in Germany in 1945. Mr. Witherspoon has also been awarded the following medals: the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign with 5 Bronze Stars; the Air Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; the Purple Heart; the POW medal; etc.
- On May 26, the Consul presented the Legion of Honor to the family of Henry Birnbrey, a recently deceased veteran of Atlanta, Georgia. As a German Jewish child refugee, Birnbrey left his homeland in 1938 and settled in Georgia, where he grew up. In 1943, he joined the 30th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army as an intelligence specialist. He took part in the Ardennes, the Rhineland, central Europe and other military campaigns. He notably participated in the Normandy landings and the Battle of Mortain, Battle of Saint-Lô and Battle of the Bulge. In recognition of his military service, he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, the Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 5 Bronze Battle Stars, etc.
- On June 1, the Consul General presented the insignia to Earl H. Snypes, a resident of Black Mountain, North Carolina, in recognition of his military service as an assistant gunner - light mortar crewman in the U.S. Army. Mr. Snypes participated in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe military campaigns. He was also awarded the following medals: Combat Infantry Badge; American Theater Service Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars; WWII Victory Medal; etc.
- On June 11, the Legion of Honor was presented to Dennis O. Trudeau during a ceremony in Grovetown, Georgia. Mr. Trudeau served as a paratrooper in the Canadian Army during World War II. Among his actions, he participated in the Normandy landings on D-Day. After being wounded, Mr. Trudeau was held by the Germans as a prisoner of war until May 1945. Among his awards, he has been decorated with the 1939-1945 Star, the War Medal 1939-1945, the France & Germany Star, the Defense Medal, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with maple leaf clasp.
