Governor McCrory Congratulates North Carolinian WWII Veterans Receiving Highest French Honor | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    Governor McCrory Congratulates North Carolinian WWII Veterans Receiving Highest French Honor

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory celebrated heroes of World War II (WWII) today with French Consul General Denis Barbet who presented 14 North Carolinians with the Legion of Honor, the highest decoration in France, in a ceremony at the State Capitol.

    The award recognizes eminent services to the French Republic and recipients are designated by the president of France, Francois Hollande. The award was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

    "These men risked everything to aid our allies in WWII, and for this they will be forever remembered by both the United States and France," said Governor McCrory. "It is an honor to stand in the presence of these courageous men who have made us proud to be North Carolinians."

    The 14 honorees are:

   •  George F. Tyson Jr. from Mebane (Ret. Colonel, L Company, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division)

   •  John Salop from Charlotte (Commander, USS. Charles F. Hughes)

   •  Allen D. Evans from Chapel Hill (Staff Sergeant, Headquarters Battery, 76th Field Artillery Battalion)

   •  Gerald M. Anderson from Pinehurst (Sergeant, 16th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division)

   •  Jessie O. Bowman from Granite Falls (Sergeant, 345th Regiment, 87th Infantry Division)

   •  Carl R. Britt from Conway (Sergeant, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Division)

   •  Donald F. Johnston from Cary (Sergeant, Company L, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Division)

   •  Joseph H. Collie from Durham (Corporal, Company B, 397th Infantry)

   •  James W. Toffton from Rock Mount (Corporal, 555th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion)

   •  Norwood McKoy from Wilmington (Technician 5th Grade, 192nd Chemical Deploy Company)

   •  Joseph Q. Dickerson from Murfreesboro (Private First Class, Company E, 116th Infantry)

   •  Richard L. Hammel from Murfreesboro (Private First Class, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment)

   •  Paul E. Haney from Reidsville (Private First Class, 80th Cavalry Reconnaissance troop)

   •  James F. Sansom from Cary (Private First Class, 1560th Service Command Unit Station Complement)

    The state played a prominent role in the U.S. military's efforts during WWII. There were 24 WWII military installations in North Carolina at the time. North Carolina lost 8,910 soldiers in WWII.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov