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On March 27th, 2015, Charles ‘Chick’ Bruns was awareded the Legion of Honor. Presented by Vincent Floriani, General Council France de Chicago, The Legion of Honor is France’s highest distinction and through this award, the French government pays tribute to the soldiers who did so much for France 70 years ago.
The following photos and news clips are form that event.
Slide Show featuring Chick’s acceptance remarks
Fox News – The Real Story w/ Gretchen Carlson
Charles ‘Chick’ Bruns served with the 3rd Division, 10th Engineer Battalion throughout WWII and was active during the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Anzio and Southern France. He ended military service in August, 1945 at the rank of Technical Sargent. During his service, Chick kept a diary, took photographs and collected postcards. This along with the letters he wrote home to his parents is being shared in the most complete daily account of a solider during WWII on the Website 70yearsago.com
Presented by Vincent Floreani, Consul General de France in Chicago, “you gave your youth to France and the French people. Many of your fellow soldiers did not return but they remain in our hearts”. The French National Order of the Legion of Honor is an order of distinction first established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. American recipients include Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Michael Mullen. Today there are approximately 93,000 Legion of Honor recipients.
Tech Sgt Chick would be pleased to know that an upcoming Medal of Honor earner is 3rd Inf Div living legend, one man Anzio army John Kostrisak. I nominated Mr. Kostrisak for the Medal of Honor and the Senator gave his endorsement. Thank you for providing this top tier WW2 research site. Paul J. Cassavechia, M.A. ; Heavy Industry War Genealogist
Congrats on getting that done. I tried to get dad his Silver Star he was put in for but was told the army lost the records and he would need a recommendation from a commanding officer ( LOL ) Very glad you enjoyed our efforts, John Bruns
Dear Mr. Bruns,
My Dad, Glen McCarther, was a medic in the 10th Combat Engineers (15th Infantry, Company B). I’m looking for a unit history of the 10th, but so far I haven’t found one. Dad’s records were burned up in the fire in East St. Louis along with millions of other vets. I do have a copy of his DD214, and he told me some things before he died. I would like to find a unit history. Dad landed in Oran in 1942, and went to Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Southern France, and he told me he got to Salzburg, and Berchtesgaden. After that he was ordered back to France to work in hospitals. I would appreciate any help.