October 06, 2009

Oneidas receive French Legion of Honor

Story, photos:  France presents highest honor to three Oneida World War II veterans

By Malavika JagannathanThe French government recognized three Oneida veterans for their military service in France during World War II about 65 years after the men returned from overseas combat.

Declining numbers of World War II veterans mean fewer are eligible for the French Legion of Honor, the highest award France can bestow on either a civilian or military member. Allen Green, Edmund Powless and Warren Skenadore are the first Oneida veterans to receive this honor.

They received the award Tuesday from Jean-Baptiste Main de Boissière, consul general of France in Chicago, in front of a cheering crowd of about 100 at Thornberry Creek at Oneida golf course.And:All three of the men fought in some capacity in the Ardennes Forest during the last major offensive by the German army, one of the largest and bloodiest parts of the war for American soldiers.

France recognizes veterans, especially those who fought at the Normandy invasion and other decisive battles in the country, in an effort to acknowledge their contributions to the country's freedom, Main de Boissière said.

"They played a decisive role to save our country and preserve our freedom for sixty plus years," Main de Boissière said. "The real question is why did we wait so long to recognize them."Comment:  For more on the subject, see Penobscot Receives Legion of Honor Medal.
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1 comment:

  1. jean3:19 PM

    It shames me to be French when I see how these brave men who risked their lives for the French people were not flown to Paris by the French authorities to receive their Honors from the French President himself at the Elysée Palace.
    I'm not sure but I think they are also entitled to a small pension. Too little and too late IMO.Bless them.

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