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Knoxville WWII veteran awarded Legion of Honor

The French Consulate in Atlanta said the French Legion of Honor was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is the highest decoration bestowed in France. 

A Knoxville World War II veteran was awarded with the Legion of Honor, the highest military honor in France, on Monday.

The Consul General of France, Louis de Corial, presented James D. Mynatt, Jr. with the honor on Monday. The ceremony was held at the Sherrill Hills Retirement Community. The honor was bestowed on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The French Consulate in Atlanta said the French Legion of Honor was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is the highest decoration bestowed in France.


A Knoxville WWII veteran was awarded with the Legion of Honor Monday.

1st Lt. Bud Mynatt, Jr. was a B-24 co-pilot stationed in England during WWII. He was part of the U.S. Army Air Force 490th Bomb Group and 848th Bomb Squadron. He flew two missions over Normandy, France on D-Day and over Northern France and Germany, according to the French Consulate in Atlanta.

A North Carolina veteran was also awarded the honor. Technical Sergeant Paul Willis was assigned in the WWII to Company G, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division of the U.S. Army and fought battles in the Normandy, Brittany, and Loire Valley campaigns in France.

According to the French Consulate in Atlanta, some of America's best known recipients are generals Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and Admiral Mike Mullen.

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