A World War II Navy veteran from Mississippi has been presented the French Legion of Honor.
Oscar Russell of Biloxi was given the honor Wednesday at Camp Shelby. The Hattiesburg American reports representatives of the French government presented the award.
About 75 friends and relatives attended the event at the base near Hattiesburg.
Keltoum Rowland, the French honorary consul in Mississippi, stressed France's debt to U.S. soldiers during a speech at the ceremony. She said she has been amazed at the humility of the soldiers like Russell who have been presented the Legion of Honor during her time as honorary consul.
Russell was in the first wave of landing crafts to hit Omaha Beach, Normandy, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
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