Harold D. "Dave" Andrews - French Legion Of Honor Medal

On December 18, 2019, French Consul General Vincent Hommeril, on behalf of Emmanuel Macron, President of France bestowed the Legion of Honor Medal Award on the late Harold David "Dave" Andrews, Jr. of McDonough, Georgia. Harold David Andrews, III accepted the decoration on behalf of his father.

"The Legion of Honour (French: Légion d'honneur) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and retained by all later French governments and régimes." (wikipedia) This prestigious Medal has been recently awarded by the people of France to American Veterans who fought for the liberation of France during World War II.

"Mr. Harold David Andrews, Jr. entered into active service in the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 25, 1943. As a bomber pilot of the 416th Bomb Group, he participated in the Air Offensive Europe Campaign as well as the Normandy, England and Germany Campaigns. During the majority of his 65 bomb missions, he targeted V-2 rocket sites, railway bridges and railroad marshalling yards. His actions included a mission on D-Day to target German Panzer tanks on their way to Normandy.

Thank you for your service!"
(Consulate General of France in Atlanta Facebook, December 19, 2019)

"Approximately 75 friends of Dad witnessed the Knighting of SIR Dave Andrews in an amazing celebration of his life. More photos will come later, but the bed is calling right now. Many thanks to David Shreckengost and the Patriot Guard for their support. Also thanks to many American legion Riders and members of post 516 in McDonough who got me through the event. There were people from as far away as Maryland and as close as ACROSS the Street."
(David Andrews, December 18, 2019)

Unless otherwise noted, these images are from the Consulate General of France in Atlanta or David Andrews Facebook pages.
Click on an image link below to view a larger display.

Click to view Daves's French Legion Of Honor Medal Award Ceremony Video.

French Consul General Vincent Hommeril

Consul General Vincent Hommeril pinning the late Harold David Andrews, Jr.'s Legion of Honor Medal on Harold David Andrews, III

French Legion of Honor Certificate for Harold David Andrews, Jr.

See also:
Harold David "Dave" Andrews, Jr. Post-War Obituary

Dave Andrews Photo Collection

View video interviews with Dave Andrews by Wayne Sayles

Relating the ordeal of Lt. William H. Palin, (D-Day Mission 68)

Dave Andrews On Francis De Mand.
(Mission 149). Taped March, 2012, Atlanta, GA by Wayne Sayles.

"Precious Letters" article on war-time letters between Dave and Jackie Andrews,
written by Wayne G. Sayles Web Page or PDF File.

Dave Andrews 2013 England Visit
Video slideshow of photos from Dave Andrews Visit to RAF Wethersfield, Churchill House B&B, Finchingfield, Maddingley and Duxfordfrom, England in 2013 with his son David Andrews and Grandaughter Stephanie Andrews.
Produced by by Ross Stewart and shared on RAF Wethersfield Public Facebook Group January 21, 2019.

Visit www.witnesstowar.org,
Enter "Dave Andrews" (no quotes) in the "Search for" field to view 9 video interviews.

See also On-line article "70e anniversaire de la libération de Domfront"
(70th Anniversary Liberation of Domfront), August 14, 2014, by Lionel Letendre.
(Article is in French. Includes a description of the liberation, civilian casualties memorial,
photos, documents, and analysis and testimonies of the June, 1944 bombing raids).

Daves's French Legion Of Honor Medal Award Ceremony Video.