please see more about this award here
On February 16, 2011, the Consul General of France presented "The Chevalier" of France's Legion of Honor on behalf of the President of the French Republic, to 21 veterans who participated in the liberation of France. Among those receiving the award was Fred Harned - A Company, who now resides in Somerset, Pa. .
The following is a true transcript of the Consul General's remarks.
DEAR AMERICAN VETERANS,
WHICHEVER BRANCH OF THE SERVICE YOU WERE IN, THE AIR FORCE, NAVY,INFANTRY INTELLIGENCE, THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUR MILITARY CAREER,YOUR PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBERATION OF FRANCE, ARE EXAMPLES OF WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DO AS A SOLDIER WITH THE HIGHEST VALUES OF COURAGE, HEROISM, SENSE OF DUTY AND SACRIFICE FOR THE STRONG AND ENDURING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AMERICA AND FRANCE..
ALL OF YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE MOST CRUCIAL AND DIFFICULT BATTLES ON THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATION, DURING THE CAMPAIGNS OF NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, CENTRAL EUROPE, RHINELAND AND SOUTHERN FRANCE.. YOU FOUGHT FROM NORTH TO SOUTH , WEST TO EAST, ON D-DAY, FOR THE LIBERATION OF PARIS, FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE OR DURING THE DRAGOON OPERATION..
YOU WERE YOUNG MEN, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS SOLDIERS, SERGEANTS, CORPORALS, LIEUTENANTS OR COLONELS, BUT ALL OF YOU WERE THERE WITH GALLANTRY AND DETERMINATION TO HELP FREE US FROM THE TIRANY OF FOREIGN OCCUPATION.
FOR YOUR ACTIONS WHILE ON DUTY, YOUR GOVERNMENT CONFERED TO YOU THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS DECORATIONS. TODAY IT IS THE TURN OF MY COUNTRY, FRANCE, TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE ALL OF YOU, FOR YOUR DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE WHICH LED TO THE LIBERATION OF OUR COUNTRY AND EUROPE.
At this point the citation lists the names of 21 veterans to receive awards.
Among these was the 82nd's Fred Harned
.
