Digital Paper Test 3 6-17-14 issuu.com rndigitaltest docs digital_paper_test_1__6-17-14.pdf Jun. 2014 Volume 100 | Page 3

Saturday, April 5, 2014 • 3 The News VETERANS France’s highest honor for Soesbee www.rockdalenews.com/multimedia/archives/390/ By Pete Mecca [email protected] The Consul General of France in Atlanta, Denis Barbet, bestowed the French Legion of Honor Medal upon eight WWII veterans on April 3. The veterans accepting France’s highest honor were no longer young soldiers. Many relied on wheel chairs, one survives on oxygen, another just released from a hospital the day before after receiving treatment for congestive heart failure. But the years had not dampened their spirit. These aging warriors enjoyed their day. Fredrick P. Wiley of Social Circle was one of the recipients. Private First Class Wiley landed D-Day +1 (June 7, 1944) on a still unsecured Omaha Beach with the 29th Infantry Division, 175th Infantry Regiment, Company G. The 29th suffered more casualties on Omaha Beach than any other American unit. And the worst was yet to come. PFC Wiley and the 29th seized their first objective, the village of Isigny, before crossing the Vire River into the infamous hedgerow country of France. Fighting hedgerow through hedgerow, the 29th seized their next objective, the town of St Lo. Wiley recalled, “The 29th took more casualties at St Lo than we did on Omaha Beach.” One position of high ground, Hill 108, earned the nickname ‘Purple Heart’ hill. Wiley stated, “About two or three days later an explosion took me out of the fight, most likely a rifle grenade.” When asked if his war was over, he www.rockdalenews.com/multimedia/archives/390/ Darrell Everidge/The News The National Order of the Legion of Honor was presented to several Georgia residents at the state capitol Thursday. The Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France, recognizing eminent services to the French Republic. Among the veterans honored were Vincent W. Masters, William H. Spratling and Philip Pollock of Athens, Marcie E. Dover of Winder, Clarence Sosebee of Conyers, Johnson W. Brown of Cumming, Emmett Cabe of Lindale and Frederick P. Wiley of Social Circle. said, “Shoot no, once I recovered they made me an MP and sent me back to France.” Clarence “Bud” Sosebee of Conyers, dressed immaculately in his WWII uniform, smiled ear to ear as the Consul General pinned the Legion of Honor Medal next to his many other decorations. “I’m still excited about the recognition,” Sosebee said. “I’ll always remember the French people as being helpful and kind to me. This is, indeed, an honor.” A member of Headquarters Company, 271 Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Sosebee saw extensive combat and met up with the Russians at the River Elbe.