Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs hosts ceremony honoring local World War II Veterans

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs hosted a Legion of Honor Medal ceremony for local World War II Veterans at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago today.  The French authorities presented the Legion of Honor Medal to seven Illinois Veterans and one Indiana Veteran who helped liberate France during World War II.  The Legion of Honor Medal is the highest honor that France can bestow upon those who have accomplished remarkable deeds for France. 

 

"All of our Veterans, both young and old, deserve to be honored and treated with the utmost respect for the sacrifices they made for our country.  Our Veterans fought for us and many died so we could be free.  I am so pleased that today, we are honoring the bravery and celebrating the accomplishments of some of our local World War II Veterans.  We will never forget the sacrifices they made for us to live free," IDVA Director L. Tammy Duckworth said.

 

In an effort to recognize the outstanding deeds accomplished by American soldiers during WWII, the French Republic began awarding its highest distinction to American WWII Veterans in 2004.  This campaign was met with great success and some WWII Veterans have been named Knight of the Legion of Honor.  Created by Napoleon, the Legion of Honor Medal is France's highest honor and serves as a sign of true gratitude for the honoree's invaluable contribution to the liberation of France during the difficult times in the our nation's history.

 

"I am greatly honored to present eight Veterans of World War II with the insignia of the Legion of Honor, France's highest distinction.  This award was created by Emperor Napoleon in 1802 to recognize services rendered to France, on the basis of personal merit.  November 20^th will be a time to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of these men, as well as the crucial contribution of the United States at a difficult period of the French history," said Jean-Baptiste Main de Boissiere, Consul General of France in Chicago.

 

At the ceremony today, Mr. John D. Aurenz, Mr. George Cramer, Mr. Roger D. Isaacs, Mr. Edward J. Serbin, Mr. Edward Schaefer, Mr. Edward Stapleton, Mr. George Tichac, and Mr. Harold Weibel were honored with the French Legion of Honor Medal.

 

Below is a brief description of each of the honored Veterans:

 

Mr. John D. Aurenz: From Palos Park, IL, Mr. Aurenz was recruited by the United States Army in March of 1943 at the age of 20.  Sent overseas to France with the 3525^th Company to participate in the Normandy campaign, Mr. Aurenz was wounded in Omaha Beach, Normandy in June of 1944.  He was wounded twice, the first time during the landing and the second time during the liberation of the city of Brest.  Despite his injuries, Mr. Aurenz also took part in the Central Europe, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Northern and Eastern France campaigns.  He was presented with several awards including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the European- African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. 

Mr. George Cramer: From Crystal Lake, IL, Mr. Cramer enlisted in the United States Army in July of 1943 at the age of 18.  He actively participated with the 82^nd Infantry Division (232^nd Infantry Regiment) in the Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns.  For his service, Mr. Cramer received the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. 

 

Mr. Roger D. Isaacs: From Glencoe, IL, Mr. Isaacs joined the United States Army at the age of 18 in June of 1943.  Serving with the 87^th Division (345^th Infantry Regiment), he participated in the Northern France campaign as well as in the Germany campaign.  He also bravely participated in the assaults to take the city of Metz.  For his actions in combat, Mr. Isaacs earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. 

 

Mr. Edward J. Serbin: From Wheeling, IL, Mr. Serbin enlisted in the United States Army in April of 1944 at the age of 20.  He participated in the 44^th Bomb group and flew his first mission on August 30^th, 1944 to Calais.  Throughout his service, Mr. Serbin completed 30 missions.  Mr. Serbin bravely participated in the Germany and Northern France campaigns and earned the Air Medal with four oak leaf cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

Mr. Edward Schaefer: From Batavia, IL, Mr. Schaefer joined the United States Army at the age of 27 in January of 19977.  He landed on Omaha Beach with the 35^th Infantry Division and participated in many campaigns, including Normandy, and Eastern and Northern France campaigns. Mr. Schaefer was wounded in France in September of 1944 during the battle of Gremecey.  For his actions, Mr. Schaefer received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. 

 

Mr. Edward Stapleton: From Springfield, IL, Mr. Stapleton enlisted in the United States Army in September of 1943 at the age of 22.  He landed in the South of France and served with the 36^th Infantry Division in the Southern and Eastern France campaigns as well as in the Central Europe and Italy campaigns.  He took part especially in the liberation of the city of Ostheim in France.  Mr. Stapleton was presented with several awards including the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. 

 

Mr. George Tichac: From Merrillville, IN, Mr. Tichac joined the United States Army at the age of 25 in July of 1941.  He served with the 342^nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion, and took park in three campaigns including the Rhineland, Central Europe and Eastern France campaigns.  For his brave service, Mr. Tichac received the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. 

 

Mr. Harold Weibel: From Grayslake, IL, Mr. Weibel enlisted in May of 1943 at the age of 22 and served with the 36^th Infantry Division (142^nd Infantry Regiment).  He landed on Utah Beach in June of 1944 and bravely participated in the South and East of France campaigns as well as in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.  He was wounded by a shell in Sélestat in November of 1944 and has been awarded numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.