Photographer: Nick Cote French Legion of Honor Medal Benjamin Haber of Peoria accepts the French Legion of Honor Medal from Gerrit Steenlik, Honorary Consul of France in Arizona, during a ceremony to honor a group of eight WWII veterans at the American Legion Post 62 in Peoria. The medal, France’s highest award, was given to the men for their service in France during the war. Tuesday, April 7, 2015 (Nick Cote/Daily News-Sun)
Posted: By Jeff Grant, DAILY NEWS-SUN
PEORIA, Ariz. — Benjamin Haber recalls the details fairly easily. The Peoria resident and World War II veteran, now 90, remembers how the U.S. Army’s 5th Infantry Division was working its way across western Germany one day.
“We were told we would face only light artillery. Over 200 pieces of artillery opened up on us. There were three shells a minute,” Haber remembers.Haber, a private first class serving as a scout, was struck by shrapnel. Though bleeding he was not severely hurt, and missed little time away from the action.
His injuries during combat earned Haber the Purple Heart. It is one of several decorations with which Haber was honored.
To the list Tuesday he added the French Legion of Honor Medal; France’s highest distinction.
Haber was one of eight Arizona veterans of World War II to receive the award and one of three from the Northwest Valley.
Army Pvt. 1st Class Donald R. Loomis, Army Technician Eugene W. Miller and Army Technician Hugo A. Tringali – all residents of Sun City West – were also honored along with former Army Maj. Alfred R. Tyler and former Army Master Sgt. John M. Chittick, both of Scottsdale; former Army Staff Sgt. Howard G. King of Tucson; and Army Technician Zenas A. Prust of Tempe.
“You were good and ambitious, and did the right thing at the right time … helping win liberty and give the gifts of freedom now endangered in so many areas of the world today,” Garrit Steenblik, honorary consul of France in Arizona, told the group assembled inside John J. Morris American Legion Post and Auxiliary Unit 62 in Peoria.
“Your courage and dedication is an inspiration to all of us,” he said.
Established by French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor has been awarded to hundreds of U.S. military personnel over the years, including Gens. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur. Originally given based on distinguished service, the award’s requirements were widened to include all living World War II veterans with proof of living service in France.
The number of Americans who once served in World War II was over 16 million. With just over a million left alive today, the number of those eligible for the Legion of Honor, like America’s WW II vets, is shrinking.
“I’m so grateful, (but) all active service members share some part of this,” said Tringali.
Miller and Steenblik said others share in the honor as well.
“It is for all Americans who sacrificed and were part of what we did in France,” said Miller, a field lineman with the U.S. Army’s Headquarters and Service Company, 283rd, 1st Engineers during the war.
Most of the veterans were 18 or 19 when they enlisted, and came home “men not boys,” noted Steenblik, who also remembered those who went to war and never returned.
“It’s important to pay honor to thousands who lie on beaches of Normandy and elsewhere,” he said.
In addition to Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies, the event featured American Legion Earl E. Mitchell Post 29, which served as color guard.
Nearly 60 family and friends were on hand, standing and applauding the men as they rose together once the last award was handed out.
Haber said the veterans may have given France a great deal, but it was only an act of duty on the part of the soldiers.
“We were just serving the United States, doing what they told us to do,” he said. – original article –
