Ally Honored
Sixty-six years after the 4th Armored Division of the U.S. Army helped the Allied Forces liberate France, Roscoe Mulvey was bestowed a honor by the French government.
In a ceremony held March 10 at the French embassy in Washington, D.C., Mulvey and 22 other veterans received the Legion of Honor medal with the rank of chevalier.
Mulvey says he first heard the French government was looking for veterans who participated in the liberation of France through a newspaper article. He sent his story and three years later received an announcement in the mail that he had been selected to receive the Legion of Honor award.
"I accepted the medal not just for myself, but for everyone that worked together over there," Mulvey said.
The French National Order of the Legion of Honor was created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is the highest decoration in France, and by awarding it to American veterans, France demonstrates an appreciation for the men who fought to liberate France.
Previously, France had only honored U.S. veterans with the Legion of Honor medal for service in France during World War I, but in 2004 the country finally began extending the honor to veterans of World War II.
According to the French Consulate General's Web site, eligible World War II veterans must have served in one of the four major campaigns in France: Normandy, Provence, Ardennes or Northern France. For consideration, veterans like Mulvey must submit a detailed resume of their involvement to the consulate office nearest their place of residence, in this case Washington, D.C.
The consulate general's office sends the most distinguished applicants on to the Legion of Honor Committee in France for final consideration. The committee looks for decorations like the Bronze Star or Purple Heart as well as others to help make the final decisions.
Mulvey's array of commendations, including both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, as well as his many vivid stories are examples of what the committee looks for in a candidate.
Following the ceremony, Mulvey visited the World War II Memorial and attended a program featuring speakers Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Elizabeth Dole.
Mulvey shared the experience with his family, who traveled to Washington D.C. with him.
His wife, Marjorie, his granddaughter, Maria Pry, her husband, George, and her children, Jacob, Nicholas and Hailey, traveled with him to attend the ceremony.
Pry described the trip as something her children will always remember and is glad they all had the opportunity to learn from her grandfather.
"It's so important for my children and other people to know what they went through," she said.
For herself, seeing her grandfather at the memorial was a memorable moment because it honors all veterans of the war, many of whom were not much different from Mulvey.
"It was very moving to see with my grandfather — very emotional and very touching for us," she said.
Mulvey was happy to share the experience with his family and to have the chance to swap stories with other veterans, including two other recipients from Western Pennsylvania."I got to talk with other veterans. The whole experience was interesting, and I was excited that my great-grandchildren got to see it," Mulvey said.Mulvey was drafted into service in 1943, and his musical abilities landed him in the middle of some of the most famous battles of World War II. He was first assigned to the foot infantry in Texas, but soon his talent for playing the trombone earned him a place in the Army band with the 4th Armored Division."At first I was embarrassed about blowing the horn, but I'm glad it got me out of the foot infantry and marching all over Europe," Mulvey reflected.After leaving Texas, he joined the 4th Armored Division in England, where in addition to training, he also had the opportunity to meet his maternal grandmother and several other family members for the first time.Following his training, Mulvey participated in several battles leading to the liberation of France. His division arrived on the beaches of Normandy not long after D-Day. They also participated in the Battle of Saint Lo, the Battle of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge.Images of the 2,000 to 3,000 bombers swarming the skies at the battle of Saint Lo are forever etched into his memory, as he vividly recalled many of the events."I'm grateful to be alive," Mulvey said as he reflected back over all he witnessed during the war.He calls the time spent in battle throughout Europe, especially the liberation of France, an accomplishment."We knew who our enemy was and we went in and accomplished our goal," he said.Before entering the war, Mulvey worked at an A&P in Zelienople and hadn't finished high school. He used the GI Bill to finish high school and attend college before finding a job as a dental technician.Back home in Harmony, Mulvey resides with his wife and frequently travels with his fellow Cranberry VFW members to area schools, including Seneca Valley High School, to speak on his experiences.Mulvey said he enjoys telling others his story, especially students."Above all it's about being proud to be an American, but also encouraging young people to serve their country," he said.He and other veterans, both in the VFW and the Ohio Valley Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge also had the chance to visit and speak at the Soldiers and Sailors museum in Pittsburgh.As many World War II veterans die, Mulvey believes through talking and sharing their experiences — especially with younger generations — others will know what happened, and their stories will be preserved.Mulvey openly discusses his experiences with anyone who is interested, but acknowledges that many are less willing to talk about their own. Therefore, he is appreciative of any opportunity he has to speak with and meet other veterans."Every man has a story to tell about their experiences," he said.
