CHICAGO — An 88-year-old suburban Chicago man was awarded France's highest honor for his service in World War II. James Butz, of Schaumburg, received the Legion of Honor from French Consul Graham Paul during a ceremony in Chicago Friday.
Daily Herald
Butz says he's "tickled" to receive the award. But he says thousands of others also served, and the heroes are those who didn't come back. Butz enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and fought in D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge and the Colmar Pocket.
As part of Friday's ceremony, Butz was inducted as a chevalier, or knight, for his role in liberating France.
He was joined by more than 20 family members, who raised a champagne toast to "Sir Grandpa."
