France gives highest honor to WWII vets
PITTSBURGH — Veterans from Center Township and Freeport on Saturday were awarded the highest military honor of France for their actions during World War II.
Sydney Gilbert of Center Township and Joseph Chapman of Freeport were two of the four men given the French Legion of Honor at Soldiers and Sailors Hall and Museum.
The ceremony marked the 71st anniversary of the Normandy landings.
“The aim of the allies was to force the Third Reich into surrender,” said Jean-Dominique Le Garrec, honorary consul of France in Pittsburgh. “Eleven months later, the war in Europe was over.”
Le Garrec presented the medals. He said the ceremony is typically held in Washington, D.C., but is held locally for soldiers who cannot make it there.
“Still to this day, (the medal) is the highest award given to soldiers and civilians in France,” Le Garrec said.
Gilbert said he was thankful to receive the honor.
“I was very surprised,” Gilbert said. “It's been so long.”
Among his previous honors awarded by the United States, Gilbert has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.
Gilbert was a waist gunner during a mission near Hamburg, Germany, on Aug. 4, 1944, when his plane was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire and was forced to leave formation. It was then attacked by an enemy aircraft.
Gilbert rendered medical assistance to the wounded co-pilot and engineer, then entered the engineer's turret and shot at the German planes — destroying one and damaging another.“The exceptional aerial skill and loyalty displayed by Sgt. Gilbert enable his aircraft to continue its bomb run and successfully complete the mission,” said Le Garrec.Gilbert was born in New York and grew up in New England. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy before joining the war effort in Europe.“I went immediately into service after Pearl Harbor,” he said.Chapman, who has lived in Freeport his entire life, was a Browning Automatic Rifleman for the 3rd Army under Gen. George Patton.Chapman landed on Utah Beach on June 16, moving across France until Sept. 1 when his division was on high ground above the Moselle River. Its objective was to take control of the bridge at Pont-a-Mousson.Chapman's division was ambushed by German soldiers. Chapman said he was the first automatic rifleman on the scene. He returned fire and tried to keep moving, but a piece of shrapnel hit his right knee.Chapman said he was surrounded and a German officer pointed a pistol between his eyes. He was taken captive and was marched back to Germany.“I was captured on my first wedding anniversary,” he said.Chapman was forced into labor for 7 months and 22 days before being freed.Chapman said that he heard Winston Churchill's announcement that the war in Europe had ended the same day he boarded a ship to return to the U.S.“No one said anything,” he said. “We were all thinking of friends killed or wounded. No cheers, just quiet.”
