Richard Jackson, a 100-year-old veteran living in Townshend, received France’s most prestigious award on Wednesday for his service in the army during World War II. He served in the 100th infantry division, known as the "Sons of Bitche," which liberated the fortified town of Bitche and the surrounding villages in France during the war.“I'm just one person,” Jackson said. “I represent my company, which also got presidential citations. So it's much bigger than what I did.”The Legion d’Honneur was first created by Napoleon Bonaparte, recognizing excellence in society. It's the highest civilian and military honor in France and is awarded by the president.“It is very important to us to recognize what people like Dr. Jackson did at that time going to a foreign country and to save the freedom, our liberties for foreign people,” said Mustafa Soykurt, consulate general of France in Boston.Although usually given to French citizens, a local seventh grader, Karsten Olsen, wrote a letter in French to the French consul general urging them to give Jackson the prestigious honor.Olsen is a dual citizen, and his grandparents lived in one of the villages liberated by Jackson and the 100th infantry.“I decided to write this letter to the French consulate because, at my school, it's really important to get back to the community and community service,” Olsen said. “And I thought this would be a great opportunity to show that since he is a World War II veteran and he fought in the same town that my mom was born in France. So it's really special to me.”Richard Jackson was already honored by the U.S. Army with two bronze stars, and the French government wanted to honor him as well.“And today, we shall not forget what they did, what he did, what his comrades did for my country,” Soykurt said. “So we are forever grateful for this action. And today, we wanted also to recognize the action and his incredible courage because this is what it is about.”After the Army, he earned his doctorate in food technology and then worked at the Campbell Soup Company.He served on the Townshend Selectboard and performed various other duties around the town when he moved to Vermont.Jackson just celebrated his 100th birthday in the fall. He now resides at Valley Cares Assisted Living. He said he likes to get outside and go on long walks. “My mantra is to keep moving,” he said. “So I try to walk a mile a day. And I also read a lot.”Wednesday is a day Jackson said he'll never forget.
TOWNSHEND, Vt. —
Richard Jackson, a 100-year-old veteran living in Townshend, received France’s most prestigious award on Wednesday for his service in the army during World War II. He served in the 100th infantry division, known as the "Sons of Bitche," which liberated the fortified town of Bitche and the surrounding villages in France during the war.
“I'm just one person,” Jackson said. “I represent my company, which also got presidential citations. So it's much bigger than what I did.”
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The Legion d’Honneur was first created by Napoleon Bonaparte, recognizing excellence in society. It's the highest civilian and military honor in France and is awarded by the president.
“It is very important to us to recognize what people like Dr. Jackson did at that time going to a foreign country and to save the freedom, our liberties for foreign people,” said Mustafa Soykurt, consulate general of France in Boston.
Although usually given to French citizens, a local seventh grader, Karsten Olsen, wrote a letter in French to the French consul general urging them to give Jackson the prestigious honor.
Olsen is a dual citizen, and his grandparents lived in one of the villages liberated by Jackson and the 100th infantry.
“I decided to write this letter to the French consulate because, at my school, it's really important to get back to the community and community service,” Olsen said. “And I thought this would be a great opportunity to show that since he is a World War II veteran and he fought in the same town that my mom was born in France. So it's really special to me.”
Richard Jackson was already honored by the U.S. Army with two bronze stars, and the French government wanted to honor him as well.
“And today, we shall not forget what they did, what he did, what his comrades did for my country,” Soykurt said. “So we are forever grateful for this action. And today, we wanted also to recognize the action and his incredible courage because this is what it is about.”
After the Army, he earned his doctorate in food technology and then worked at the Campbell Soup Company.
He served on the Townshend Selectboard and performed various other duties around the town when he moved to Vermont.
Jackson just celebrated his 100th birthday in the fall. He now resides at Valley Cares Assisted Living. He said he likes to get outside and go on long walks.
“My mantra is to keep moving,” he said. “So I try to walk a mile a day. And I also read a lot.”
Wednesday is a day Jackson said he'll never forget.
