The American Society of the French Legion of Honor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS November 5, 2018 Nathalie Cluzet-Bertot [email protected] 305.403.4157

Dan Hannigan [email protected] 727.800.2159

French Government To Award Highest Honor To Two Tampa Bay Region United States World War II Veterans The French American School of Tampa Bay Will Host Ceremony with Local Student Participation

In recognition of their service to France during World War II, the French Republic will bestow upon U.S. Veterans Joseph B. Corbin and Francis O. Smith its most prestigious distinction of “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” (“Knight in the Legion of Honor”) on November 29, 2018 at The French American School of Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg. The ceremony will begin at 2:30pm and is open to the public. For more on the Legion of Honor, please see page 2 of this release.

This event will also be an excellent educational opportunity for local French and history students, who will participate in the formal ceremony and also the question and answer session with the honorees that will follow. French Consulate General of Miami, Clément Leclerc, recognizes that an important event like this offers today’s students a rare connection to the World War II generation and places a spotlight on the importance of French-American relations over many generations.

“France will be eternally grateful to all American Veterans who fought and risked their lives on her soil for the sake of freedom”, said Consul general, Clément Leclerc, “and I am very honored to pay tribute to two of these gentlemen at a ceremony witnessed by the young generation. We have to pass on the example they set and remember their courage and selflessness that led Europe to more than 70 years of peace after generations of conflict.”

“To be chosen to host this important celebration of two American heroes by the French government is a tremendous honor for our school,” said Willy LeBihan, Head of School of The French American School of Tampa Bay, “and to share the day with area students makes it even better.”

All media are welcome to attend and there will be opportunities for interviews. For more information, please contact Dan Hannigan at 727-800-2159 or [email protected].

France, through the Consulate general of France in Miami, has recognized more than 1,560 American WWII Veterans in Florida and Puerto Rico since 2008.

The French American School of Tampa Bay is a full- French Immersion and Bilingual school for Pre-K through Grade 5. No prior French instruction is required to participate in this authentically French environment, where all classes are conducted in French and students learn the language naturally. English is added as a class in Grade 2 and by Grade 5, students are bilingual with the ability to speak, read and write both languages equally. Further information can be found at www.FASTB.org or by calling 727-800-2159.

About the LEGION D’HONNEUR - THE FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR

The Highest French Distinction Created to reward eminent military and civil merits in the service of France, the “Légion d’Honneur” (Legion of Honor) is the highest distinction that can be conferred in France on a French citizen or a non-French citizen.

Origin Founded in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte, First Consul (a position he occupied from 1799 to 1804), the is one of his most important creations with the Napoleonic Code.

Grades and Ranks This distinction is divided into five degrees: three ranks (Knight, Officer, and Commander) and two dignities (Grand Officer, and Grand Cross)

Description of the Insignia Since its inception, the medal consists of a five double-cornered star enamelled in white, joined with branches of laurel and oak. At the centre of the star, there is a medallion representing • in the front side, the symbol of the Republic with the inscription “République Française” • on the other side, a flag and a banner intertwining one another with the circular inscription “Honneur et Patrie – 29 Floréal an X”. The ribbon has always been in red silk.

Famous Historical Personalities Awarded Berthollet (chemist), Balzac, Stendhal, Victor Hugo, Chateaubriand, Theophile Gautier, Alfred De Musset, Alexandre Dumas (novelists and poets), Laplace (), Montgolfier (physician), Berlioz (musician), Cuvier, Lamarck (naturalists), David, Ingres, Delacroix painters).

American Personalities Awarded Thomas A. Edison (Inventor and Engineer, commander in 1889), (officer in 1881), General Douglas MacArthur, the astronomer Simon Newcomb (officer in 1896), the sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens (officer in 1901), the painter John Singer Sargent (knight in 1889, later promoted officer), Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President of the United States), and former Secretary of State Colin Powell

Organization of the Order The Order is managed by a Chancery and a Council of the Order; they are situated - In : Chancellerie de la Légion d’Honneur 1, rue de Solférino, Paris 75007, France

- In the United States of America: PO Box 983 Harriman, NY 10926, USA