Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Medal of Chevalier of the French National Order of the Legion of Honor is France's highest decoration. Over the past several years, the French government has been searching for veterans who fought in France in World War II to award them with the honorable medal. Recently, the government was successful in finding multiple veterans who deserve the honor.
Oklahoma veterans receive Legion of Honor
According to NewsOK, the French government recently gave this honor to two soldiers from Oklahoma who helped defeat the Germans in WWII nearly 70 years ago. One of those veterans was 89-year-old Preston Johnson, an infantryman who stepped on a land mine during his deployment and lost part of his right leg.
Earl J. Gonzales, 92, was a member of New Orleans' Washington Artillery Regiment that fought in France and Italy during the battles of Salerno and Monte Cassino.
"Few generations can say that they changed the world. But your generation, Mr. Gonzales, Mr. Johnson, literally changed the world. All of us who have come after owe you an eternal debt of gratitude," said Grant Moak, the honorary French consul who presented the Legion of Honor to the two veterans, according to the news source.
Johnson and Gonzales sat in the front row in a room in the 45th Division Museum where they were awarded the Legion in the company of fellow veterans and supporters.
A humble hero
Another veteran, George Johnson of South Dakota, did not know he would be given such an honor until he received a letter in the mail asking for evidence that he was still alive. Once he sent proof, he was invited to receive the prestigious Legion of Honor medal in April for his sacrifice during battle.
"Rumors were, the Germans were going to surrender. And then all of a sudden early one morning, we were going across the Moselle River just at sunup and we get down there and we didn't even get our little boats in the water. They were in the mountains, the hills on the east side, and – boom boom – they're with their artillery, just got us all. And that's where I got wounded," said Johnson, according to KSYF.com.
Although Johnson severely injured his left leg, he said he never let that get him down and still enjoys his hobbies. At 90 years old, he gives credit for his positive outlook to the people around him that have made his life worth living.