A 91-year-old World War II veteran and Arkansan was honored with France’s most prestigious accolade on Monday at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs’ Memorial Day ceremony.
Harold Kindrick, a North Little Rock native, participated in the 1944 D-Day mission in Normandy as part of the 437 troop carrier command. On Monday, he received the French Legion of Honor, the country’s highest distinction.
“His group penetrated farther east than any other U.S. combat unit, and accepted the surrender of German army,” Sgt. Maj. John Dross of the Arkansas Army National Guard said.
Kindrick joined the army in November 1942 and was honorably discharged in October 1945.
Beatrice Moore, an honorary consul of France in Little Rock, presented Kindrick with a medal during a ceremony at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, making him a knight in the French Legion of Honor.
“We french, we’ll never forget what you did to restore our freedom,” Moore said before presenting the honor to Kindrick.
The French Legion of Honor was first established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to honor service to the country, Moore said.
“Since its creation it has remained the highest, most prestigious decoration in France,” she said. “All nominations are decided by the president of France.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson presented the Memorial Day address at the ceremony, calling on Arkansans to reciprocate "the same love and devotion" shown by veterans in their military service.
Hutchinson said the most meaningful way to honor those who have served the country is to make sure they're taken care of when they return home.
"I think it's right and proper to to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice today," Hutchinson said. "But our most important commitment to them is to be able to demonstrate the commitment of the state of Arkansas to making sure that we provide the proper health care, that we provide the proper benefits, and most importantly we provide the proper honor to those that have given the sacrifice and served our nation."
See Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.
