WWII veteran receives France's highest decoration

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A World War II veteran and local resident received the distinction of the French Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, or National Order of the Legion of Honor, by the consul general of France in Louisiana during a ceremony Feb. 10, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Mr. William V. Hines was named French Knight in the order of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier de la légion d'honneur) by a decree signed by Nicolas Sarkozy, president of the French Republic.

The honor, France's highest distinction, was bestowed by Mr. Jean-Claude Brunet, the consul general of France, based in New Orleans.

"It is a great honor for me to pay a special tribute to an American Soldier and hero," Brunet said. "More than 60 years ago, [Hines] risked his young life for the freedom of France and Europe, and for the values he so strongly believed in."

Brunet spoke about how Hines played a role in freeing the last German-occupied city in the Alsace region of France. Of the 166 men in Hines's unit in the campaign to liberate the city of Wingren and capture the objective known as Hill 403, only 28 men were able to walk out under their own power. The rest were killed or severely wounded in action.

Brunet went on to say Hines would be France's hero forever. He said that standing there as a representative of a proud and free country in a united and democratic Europe was thanks to the efforts of Hines and his fellow soldiers.

"The French people will never forget what you and your comrades, some of them present here today, did to restore our freedom," he said. "You are the hero of a strong and lasting history of Franco-American friendship."

Hines was then presented the medal and a signed proclamation granting him the honor.

"I accept the Legion of Honor today with great pride," Hines said. "Today brings back many memories of when I was at the age of 18 and served with the 70th Infantry Division, C Company, 276th regiment, arriving one day before the Battle of the Bulge."

He remembered the cold those days, many of which were well below zero degrees, vividly.

"I promised myself, if I ever got back to Louisiana, I would never complain about the cold again," Hines said.

After the ceremony, a small reception was held in Hines's honor and Brunet proposed a toast.

"Mr. Hines tells me he is no hero," Brunet said. "But to me, he is a hero."

Hines and his wife returned to France three times since then, one of which was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of France. After the war, he continued his dedication to service by working as the director of a nursing home, fulfilling a vow he made to God.

"Back in the foxhole there in Germany, I had a feeling I wasn't going to make it home," he recalled. "I asked the Lord, 'If you let me get home, I'll serve you.' I've tried my best to keep my part of the bargain."