EvanL
05-27-2004, 11:47 AM
OTTAWA -- Sixty years after D-Day veteran Cliff Chadderton helped liberate France from the Nazis, France is awarding him one of its highest honours. The War Amps CEO and chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations was recently named a Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honour.
Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the medal is the highest award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France.
"In presenting you with this high distinction, the French government wants to honour you for your ongoing commitment, at a very high cost, during the Normandy landing which resulted finally in the liberation of France," Philippe Guelluy, France's ambassador to Canada told Chadderton in a letter.
Among the first to land on Juno Beach June, 6, 1944, Chadderton later was shot in the hand at the Abbaye d'Ardenne in Normandy and lost his right leg below the knee after a grenade attack near the Leopold Canal.
But he believes the citation relates to when he and his Royal Winnipeg Rifles company captured Cap Gris-Nez on Sept. 25, 1944.
It was home to a German heavy-artillery outpost that could fire at England, as well as back into France.
Chadderton said he and two soldiers were sent on a reconnaissance mission to devise how to best get the troops through the back way. He scribbled out a plan and brought it to the general -- a sketch that remains in the National Archives today.
"They were very pleased because these large guns ... can swivel around and fire 20 miles inland on the French farm houses. We put a stop to that by capturing them," he said.
"I understand that's what the citation will say, so that's why I'm very proud of it."
A ceremony will be held today at the French Embassy in Ottawa, but Chadderton will not be able to attend and is expected to receive his medal at a later date.
Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the medal is the highest award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France.
"In presenting you with this high distinction, the French government wants to honour you for your ongoing commitment, at a very high cost, during the Normandy landing which resulted finally in the liberation of France," Philippe Guelluy, France's ambassador to Canada told Chadderton in a letter.
Among the first to land on Juno Beach June, 6, 1944, Chadderton later was shot in the hand at the Abbaye d'Ardenne in Normandy and lost his right leg below the knee after a grenade attack near the Leopold Canal.
But he believes the citation relates to when he and his Royal Winnipeg Rifles company captured Cap Gris-Nez on Sept. 25, 1944.
It was home to a German heavy-artillery outpost that could fire at England, as well as back into France.
Chadderton said he and two soldiers were sent on a reconnaissance mission to devise how to best get the troops through the back way. He scribbled out a plan and brought it to the general -- a sketch that remains in the National Archives today.
"They were very pleased because these large guns ... can swivel around and fire 20 miles inland on the French farm houses. We put a stop to that by capturing them," he said.
"I understand that's what the citation will say, so that's why I'm very proud of it."
A ceremony will be held today at the French Embassy in Ottawa, but Chadderton will not be able to attend and is expected to receive his medal at a later date.