A Bladen County resident was awarded the highest honor of the country of France. Rudolph Inman, of Elizabethtown, traveled to Charlotte on Wednesday to the Levin Museum of the South where the Legion of Honor award was presented. The award known as the National Order of the Legion of Honor, is bestowed for military service and was established by Napoléon Bonaparte, according to Wikipedia.
The award was bestowed by the Denis Barbet, Consul General of France in Atlanta, Ga. He learned of the award when he received a letter from the French Embassy in Atlanta and Inman received a telephone call from the French Embassy, as well.
“It meant a lot. I love the French people and this recognition brings comfort that I was able to help,” said Inman of receiving the award.
As he was presented the medal, Inman said, “Merci, tres beacoup.” Translated, it means “thank you, very much.”
Inman said one of the presenters asked if he spoke French and he replied no, but he did learn how to say ‘thank you’ in the French language.
Inman said 12 individuals, including himself, were recognized in Wednesday’s ceremony and most were B-17 pilots. Inman served in the 551st AAA, 3rd Army commanded by Gen. George Patton.
Inman said he spoke with several of the pilots. “What impressed me the most, more than anything else, they told me they felt sorry for us (as they flew over the battlefield) and I was feeling sorry for them, knowing where they were going (flying into German territory).”
Inman recounted his service briefly. He was 20 years old at the time he landed on Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion. He was sitting in a gun turret with four 50 caliber machine guns and his job was to take down any enemy aircraft or any hostile elements. He also saw action in Ardennes Counteroffensive also called the Battle of the Bulge. According to Wikipedia, the offensive was a surprise attack on Allied forces by German forces that was launched in the forested region of Ardennes region.
“The French people, I loved them,” said Inman.
He said the French people he encountered during the war were hungry and poor but very kind and he wanted to give them something.
Inman said that during the Battle of the Bulge, one of the coldest winters on record was recorded and Inman said he would wear every piece of warm clothing he could find in attempt to keep warm. Inman said that, thankfully, Spring came early that year.
His wife, Helen, said that wherever go in their travels, when someone learns that Rudolph Inman served with Gen. Patton, they are so honored to meet him.
Helen Inman recounted how they and some friends traveled to Washington, DC a few years ago and they wanted to see the World War II memorial. Mrs. Inman said that as they walked it began to rain and she sought shelter from the rain underneath a tent. Mrs. Inman said one of the gentlemen under tent began to talk to her about the activities under the tent.
“I told them that my husband served with Gen. George Patton and they took us and showed us around the monument,” said Helen Inman.
Inman also had two brothers who served in World War II—Jessie Inman, who served as a tank gunner, and Horace Inman who served with the 82nd Airborne.
Bruce Barbour, a friend of Inman, said that he learned about the award one day when Michael Aycock announced the French government was giving out medals to soldiers in World War II. He said that Aycock asked if Barbour knew any soldiers who served in World War II and got a purple heart somewhere in France, to which Barbour replied yes.
Barbour said that Aycock then explained that France was awarding the Legion of Honor medal to those who fought in France.
Barbour said he shared with Aycock what he knew of Inman’s service in World War II and Aycock took the information and began the paper work. Barbour said that Inman’s wife, Helen, also helped with the paper work and gathering necessary records and documents.
According to reports, other veterans honored Wednesday included: Richard P. Woodson, Raleigh; Lewis E. Herron of Asheville; John “Worth” Newman of Mooresville; Jerome M. Schwartz of Charlotte; James M. Bond of Edenton; Vincent Corsini of Burlington; Mervin Eugene Hog of Wilmington; Charles J. Jones of Jamestown; Julius N. Watlington of Yanceyville. Two soldiers who will be honored in a ceremony later are Anthony Jospeh Buccieri of Apex and Murray Lorber of Raleigh.
About Author
