James R. Inman of Elizabethtown will be among 12 World War II veterans from North Carolina to receive France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor, the country’s highest honor, according to a news release from the Consul General of France in Atlanta. Inman was a Private First Class, 551th Anti-Aircraft, 3rd Army.
The honor is being awarded to the American veterans to express France’s eternal gratitude to those who liberated it from oppression from 1944-45, the Consul General of France in Atlanta, Denis Barbet, said. The ceremony will be held at the Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte at 2 p.m. on June 15.
Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it recognizes eminent services to the French Republic. Recipients of the honor are designated by President François Hollande.
Other veterans to be honored include:
Richard P. Woodson from Raleigh (Major, United States Air Force, 96th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force)
Lewis E. Herron from Asheville (Staff Sergeant, 8th Air Force, 100th Bomb Group)
John W. Newman from Mooresville (Staff Sergeant, 410th Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, 4th Combat Bombardment Wing, 3rd Bombardment Division, 8th Air Force)
Jerome M. Schwartz from Charlotte (Staff Sergeant, Company A, 379th Regiment, 95th Infantry Division)
James M. Bond from Edenton (Sergeant, 8th Air Force, 385th Bomb Group, 551th Bomb Squad)
Vincent Corsini from Burlington (Sergeant, Company I, 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division)
Mervin Eugene Hogg from Wilmington (Sergeant, Anti-Tank Company, 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division)
Anthony Joseph Buccieri from Apex (Water Tender 2nd Class, US Navy)
Murray Lorber from Raleigh (Technician 5th Grade, 112th Infantry Regiment 28th Infantry Division)
Charles J. Jones from Jamestown (Private First Class, 66th Infantry Division, 263rd Regiment)
Julius N. Watlington from Yanceyville (Private First Class, 69th Infantry, 271 Battalion, Company I, 60 MM Mortar Squad)
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