Veterans Awarded Highest French Honor

The American Legion Post 160 building in Smyrna was filled Wednesday afternoon with family, friends and veterans there to observe seventeen former military men receive the highest honor offered in the liberation of France during World War II. The honor being bestowed was the French Legion of Honor Medal and was presented by the French Consul General in Atlanta, Pascal Le Denuff.

Le Denuff spoke highly of the men receiving the medals and of the relationship between America and France.

“Sixty-five years ago they risked their lives for the freedom of France and Europe,” he said. “France and the United States share a deep historical relationship bounded together by common values of democracy and freedom that they together gave the world more than 200 years ago. I believe that France and the United States are each others closest allies.”

Of the seventeen veterans receiving the honor, four are members of of Smyrna's Post 160. They include Venson Abercrombie, 89, of the U.S. Air Force; Ralph Ardito, 88, of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army; Leon “Barney” Barnett, 87, of the U.S. Army; and Robert Spooner, 90, of the U.S. Army.

Before receiving their medals, Le Denuff read a list of each recipient’s achievements in helping with the liberation of France from Germany, bringing to light the heroism and bravery each man had during such volatile times.

Abercrombie, who held the rank of Airman First Class, told Patch he was elated to receive the honor.

“I am tickled to death to get it,” he said before the ceremony. “I can’t wait to go down there and get it.”

The French Consul took the opportunity to discuss the ongoing War on Terror that France and the United States continue to be allies in. In the wake of September 11, 2001, Le Denuff said more than 4,000 soldiers have fought alongside Americans in the mountains of Afghanistan. 

“We will never forget 9/11 and we will never forget Normandy,” he said as those in attendance applauded.

Barnett fondly recalled to Patch his time with the French people in their home country. He held the rank of Corporal and served as an anti-aircraft artillery squad leader during World War II. 

“The French people were good to us. They would come out and hand a glass of wine to my guys on the half track,” the Marietta man said with a kind hearted laugh.

While everyone in attendance at Wednesday’s ceremony was indeed in good spirits, Le Denuff remained adamant throughout his speech that the men he was there to honor had done a great service for his country.

“By paying tribute to their courageous endeavors, France remembers America’s soldiers who helped recover its liberty, its pride and its honor,” he said. 

During the ceremony, the Campbell High School Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps presented the colors, and Nadine Asberry of American Legion Post 296 sung both the U.S. and French national anthems.

Others from throughout the Southeast who received the award include Donald Van Roosen, Pinehurst, N.C.; Hubert Aaron; Crawford, Ga.; Joseph J. Hammonds; Thomaston, Ga.; Thomas Parsons, Decatur, Ga.; James Wright, Millington, TN; James McKinley, Perry, Ga.; Reuben Downer, Atlanta; John Ogden, Dundee, Miss.; Emmitt Dooley, Summerville, Ga.; Herbert J Sheretz, Pfafftown, NC; Joseph Lee Parker, Greensboro, Ga.; Henry Freedman, Suwanee, Ga.; Charles A. Maupin, Columbus, Ga.