OBSERVER 40 TH B-D AY page 20 COMMUNITY Fullerton bsCeALErNDAvR Peage 1r 3-15 O EAR FULLERTON’S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS • Est.1978 (printed on 20% recycled paper) • Y 40 #20 • EARLY DECEMBER 2018 Submissions:
[email protected] • Contact: (714) 525-6402 • Read Online at : www.fullertonobserver.com Vinny De La Torre Honored by Fullerton and France by Ed Paul The City of Fullerton proudly recognized long-time resident, Ventura “Vinny” De La Torre, for his heroic service to his country over 70 years ago. The presentation was made at the November 19 Council meeting and Vinny was given a standing ovation by all present. Vinny De La Torre was also recognized by receiving France’s Legion of Honor, the coun - try’s highest honor, on November 11, 2018, in recognition for his service with Gen. George Patton’s Third Army during WWII. Vinny was in more than 200 days of contin - uous combat, liberating many French cities and in 1945, was part of the division that fought at the Battle of the Bulge and liberated two concentration camps, Buchenwald and Ebensee. He was almost 21 years old at that time. Like many of the WW II generation, Vinny kept much of this story to himself. But in recent years his family, mostly his grandchil - dren, slowly obtained bits and pieces of his service. They conducted some research and provided it to the French Consulate General who, after reviewing it for over a year, made the presentation to Vinny on November 11 at the National Cemetery in West Los Angeles.