Tri-stater Named Knight of French Legion
By: Web Producer
Updated: November 29, 2007
It may be 43 years after the fact, but a Southern Indiana soldier is getting an official thank you from the country he helped liberate.
83 year old Jack Wilson joined the 141st Infantry in March 1943 at the young age of 18. Many people would consider Wilson a hero, but he says simply he just a survivor.
All of the bloodshed, tears, and heartache earned Wilson an invitation to Indianapolis on November 29th where he will be named into the Knights of the French Legion. This prestigious honor will also be awarded to six other men for their bravery in WWII.
This award was created in 1802 by Napolean Bonaparte. It is given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France. But Wilson thinks he was serving more than the French people, "We thought we were keeping them away from our home and we felt fortunate. When we saw what the French people and Italian people were going through, this could happen to our country too."
And the French consider Wilson a hero, whether he is fighting in France or living back home here in Indiana.
Wilson has also earned other medals.. the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater medal.
