Veterans Affairs left 400 off list for French honour
As many as 400 Canadian D-Day veterans missed out on being awarded France’s Legion of Honour because their names weren’t forwarded to the French government.
As part of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of D-Day last year, the French government announced it would award the Legion of Honour to veterans who took part in that invasion.
Some 20,000 awards were given to veterans worldwide, including to 600 Canadians.
But there are an estimated 1,000 Canadian D-Day veterans still alive, and now the French Embassy in Ottawa is receiving requests for the medal.
“We don’t know why, but suddenly, in the beginning of 2015, after the selection was made, other veterans became aware and asked for the Legion of Honour,” said embassy spokesman Stéphane Schorderet. “But unfortunately, the campaign is closed.”
The names of eligible veterans were forwarded to the embassy by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Janice Summerby said in an email to the Citizen, “The awarding of the Legion of Honour is a French initiative, and the deadline for applications to receive it was set by France.”
Veterans Affairs Canada assisted the French government’s initiative by confirming service eligibility on all nominations received against French-established criteria, she added. “All nominations meeting the defined eligibility were forwarded to the French Embassy for consideration,” Summerby said.
Schorderet pointed out that the French government relied on Veterans Affairs to provide it with the names of veterans who took part in the invasion.
“It was not our selection,” he said in an interview. “We were ready to give the Legion of Honour to any veterans who participated in D-Day. (The selection) was made with the Canadian Ministry of Veterans.”
He said he didn’t know why all the names were not forwarded. “Maybe there was a lack of information, but there were a lot of veterans who became aware in the last month,” Schorderet said.
Some veterans received their medals in 2014. But a number of Canadian veterans are just receiving them, generating news coverage across the country.
Schorderet said that just last week, eight veterans were awarded the Legion of Honour for their participation in D-Day.
He said the process was extensive, including a lengthy period to verify a veteran’s military service during D-Day. “We sent those 600 dossiers to Paris and in Paris they had to re-examine them,” Schorderet explained. “Every dossier is signed by the president.”
Estimates vary but it is believed that more than 200,000 allied military personnel took part in the invasion of France on June 6, 1944.
Canadian sailors, aircrew and soldiers played key roles in that invasion, according to historians.
On D -Day, Canada suffered 1,074 casualties, including 359 killed, according to the Canadian War Museum.
“We deeply respect the Canadian heroes who fought for the liberation of France during the Second World War,” Summerby said in her email. “They helped to define bravery for our entire nation.”
Any Canadian veteran who was mistakenly overlooked can contact Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole’s office so his staff can review the matter, she added.
“We will do all we can to help the Veteran receive the commendations he or she deserves.”
Schorderet said one option for veterans left out of the D-Day awards would be to have someone apply for them as part of the regular Legion of Honour process.