Georgia's state Capitol today hosts a group of World War II veterans who have been tapped to receive a French medal Napoleon Bonaparte created in 1802.
Ten Georgia World War II veterans will be honored for helping liberate France from Nazi occupation. Among them is Army Cpt. Julian Fleming (RET), now 93, who lives in Cumming.
His nephew says Cpt. Fleming flew a B-24 Liberator from the 450th Bombardment Group.
"He flew 52 combat missions, and several of those missions were to attack German targets within France," says his nephew, Allen Fleming.
Now, nearly 71 years after France was liberated, the French government is giving these veterans its highest honorary distinction: the Legion of Honor.
The Legion of Honor is awarded three times a year to civilians: January 1; Easter; and Bastille Day. It is given twice a year to members of the military.
"They're actually knighting him," beams Fleming, a minister in Marietta.
The French Consulate lists the recipients as:
- James B. Eure, captain of Watkinsville, GA (196 Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Division)
- Julian D. Fleming, captain of Cumming, GA (721st Bombardment Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force)
- Robert N. Saveland, lieutenant of Athens, GA (USS LST 533)
- Neill J. Cox, Sergeant of Decatur, GA (H Company, 143rd Infantry Regiment)
- Stanley T. Byars, sergeant of Riverdale, GA (4008 Quartermaster Truck Company)
- Robert L. Harris, Sergeant of Atlanta, GA (78th Infantry Division, 310 Infantry Regiment)
- Hugh W. Beavers 5th class technician of Dallas, GA (82nd Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armour Division)
- Grover T. McMichael, Sonarman 3rd Class of Newnan, GA (USS Emmons)
- Fred H. Moston, soldier 1st class of Snellville, GA (317th Regiment, 80th Division)
The daughter of Wayne C. Kirby of Ellenwood, GA (142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Division) will also be present to receive the medal instead of her father, who died recently.
Cpt. Fleming is highly decorated; his nephew says that his long list of medals includes a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Purple Hearts, among others.
"He's a great man, and he's my hero. Always has been," says Fleming.
The ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m.
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