A Japanese American veteran who as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat team helped free the “Lost Battalion” in France and liberate the Dachau concentration camp in Germany has received the French Legion of Honor medal, reports M Live.
Virgil Westdale flew to Chicago to receive the honor from the Consul General of France in Chicago. Graham Paul
“Thanks to his courage, and to all our American friends and allies, France has been living in peace for more than 65 years,” said Paul. “We shall never forget.”
Westdale, whose father is Japanese and mother is white, applied to receive the honor and has spoken at least 50 times at schools and community events about his war experience.
“It really meant a lot to him,” said his grandson Paul about the award. “He was really happy that he was able to go and do that.”
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