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Seventy-one years after the liberation of France from the Nazis, Sigvard Johnson was honored last week for his heroic contributions to the Allied victory in World War II.
Johnson, a Sarasota, FL resident, was among eight veterans who received the Legion of Honor from the French government in a ceremony in Naples. The Legion of Honor is The highest award bestowed on French citizens and foreigners for military or civil service to France. The ceremony took place at the Naples Depot Museum.
Johnson, 94, was born in Finland. He found a job on a freighter when he was 16, which took him to America. Later, he joined the 99th Infantry Battalion, a special unit comprised of Norwegian-speaking soldiers with special skills such as skiing. The unit helped liberate Norway.
In France, Johnson participated in five major battles with the 99th Battalion, including the Normandy invasion.
After the war, Johnson graduated from college and became a psychologist. For the past four years, he has resided at Villa Grande at Sarasota senior apartments. He is a member of the First Baptist church.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 20 Dec 2015
Another article, with photos, can be read here: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/local...362731401.html
Johnson, a Sarasota, FL resident, was among eight veterans who received the Legion of Honor from the French government in a ceremony in Naples. The Legion of Honor is The highest award bestowed on French citizens and foreigners for military or civil service to France. The ceremony took place at the Naples Depot Museum.
Johnson, 94, was born in Finland. He found a job on a freighter when he was 16, which took him to America. Later, he joined the 99th Infantry Battalion, a special unit comprised of Norwegian-speaking soldiers with special skills such as skiing. The unit helped liberate Norway.
In France, Johnson participated in five major battles with the 99th Battalion, including the Normandy invasion.
After the war, Johnson graduated from college and became a psychologist. For the past four years, he has resided at Villa Grande at Sarasota senior apartments. He is a member of the First Baptist church.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 20 Dec 2015
Another article, with photos, can be read here: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/local...362731401.html