(LEX 18)– A Kentucky man was received France’s Legion of Honor Medal Friday for his service in World War II.
The medal is France’s highest award for merit. It was given to Lawrenceburg native Alvin Perry for his work defending France’s land in the battle of Normandy.
Perry is 95-years-old now. At the age of 20, he was drafted.
Soon after, he was fighting on Omaha Beach in the historic Battle of Normandy. He was shot and captured by enemy troops and spent 265 days as a prisoner of war.
His family said he rarely talked about the experience once he returned home and began work in the milk industry.
“It was hard for him to talk about sometimes, because he had a lot of friends who didn’t come back,” said Perry’s nephew John Moffett.
French President Emmanual Macron bestowed five Americans with the medal Thursday.
