News story

D-Day veterans to be awarded the Legion d'Honneur

The French government is to recognise D-Day veterans with the country's highest honour.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 25 July 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

D-Day veterans at the 70th anniversary commemorations in France

The Government of France has told the UK Ministry of Defence that it wishes to recognise the selfless acts of heroism and determination displayed by all surviving veterans of the Normandy landings, and of the wider campaigns to liberate France in 1944, by awarding them with the Legion d’Honneur.

This recognition extends beyond the troops who actually landed on and fought their way up the beaches 70 years ago, and will include Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel who operated in support of the landings.

Requests for the award should be made using this application form and will be processed by the Ministry of Defence, who will forward the details to the French authorities.

The French authorities will then make all the final decisions on the awards.

Any veterans wishing to apply for the award, or anyone enquiring on their behalf, should either send the form to:

Personnel and Training – Defence Services Secretary – Commemorations

Floor 6 Zone C

Ministry of Defence

Main Building

LONDON

SW1A 2HB

Or email it to people-dssec-commemaug1@mod.uk

The French government will be reviewing the applications, so MOD is unable to give any guidance on timings or the arrangements for the presentation of the awards. Awards will not be given posthumously, and any further questions should be directed to the French authorities.

Published 25 July 2014