Tulsa veteran named knight of French Legion of Honor
By AMANDA BLAND World Staff Writer on Aug 8, 2013, at 3:29 PM
Retired Sgt. Paul J. Andert (left) is applauded after being appointed as Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, which testifies to France's infinite gratitude and appreciation of his contribution to the United States' decisive role in the liberation of France during World War II, alongside Dr. Marcel Binstock, member of the Tulsa Council for Holocaust Education, inside the Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center, on Thursday. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World
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World War II veteran Paul Andert was named a chevalier, or knight, of the French Legion of Honor at a Tulsa ceremony Thursday.
Andert, a retired Army sergeant, was pinned with the medal by Marcel Binstock, a French member of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa’s Council for Holocaust Education, at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art.
He was to be recognized at an event in Houston but opted to accept the honor as part of a Holocaust teachers luncheon sponsored by the council.
“It is a fitting expression of the gratitude of the French government and the French people for valiant service in France during the Second World War,” Binstock said.
Andert was an infantry platoon sergeant for Company B of the 41st Armored Infantry, 2nd Armored Division. He enlisted in 1940 at the age of 17 and served in WWII between October 1942 and May 1945.
He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was wounded in France and Germany, and received the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantry Badge and the French Croix de Guerre.
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