George Merz receives the French Legion of Honor Medal

merz-george-currentGeorge Merz, 818th Military Police Company, was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal at the 123rd Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard on September 13, 2015 by Colonel Barry D. Gorter, Commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, at the Louisville International Airport. The event took place during a “Family Day” of the Air National Guard and there were over 500 people cheering for George as he received his medal. He received the medal on July 1, 2015 by the Consul General of France (in Chicago), Vincent Floreani, and it was formally presented to him at this event. He was so proud that many members of his immediate family and friends could attend (almost 20 in total!).

The Legion of Honor Award was created by Napoleon in 1802 to acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of exceptional merit.  American veterans who risked their lives during World War II and who fought on French territory qualify to be decorated as Knights of the Legion of Honor. Veterans must have fought in one of the four main campaigns of the Liberation of France: Normandy, Provence, Ardennes-Alsace or Northern France to earn the medal.

Submitted by Patrick Brion and Doris Davis, Associate Members