Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD – More than 70 years after flying his last mission, World War II veteran and longtime Milford resident Dan Levernier was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the government of France in a ceremony Monday at the Milford Community Center.
The award, France’s highest order of merit for military and civilians, was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
Levernier served as a radio operator/mechanic gunner with the 409th Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group in the Air Force, earing the rank of technical sergeant. He flew on 35 missions when the life expectancy for bomber crews was fewer than 20 missions. He participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns, and earned the Europe-African Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Stars and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf clusters for meritorious service.
“Really, all I wanted to do was get back home to my wife,” Levernier said in an interview after the ceremony. Mary Levernier passed in May 2014.
After the war ended, but before he could go home, Levernier said he flew in five missions, delivering supplies to an airfield that, weeks earlier, he had helped bomb.
His thoughts on Tuesday were with those he served with, especially those who died in service to the country.
“I’ve never told anybody this, but in one of our last missions, our gunner was moved from our plane to the lead plane,” the 94-year-old veteran recalled. “We flew just off the left wing of the lead plane. We saw it get shot down and I knew my buddy had been killed.
“Everyone on that plane was killed. I’ve never forgotten that, and I’ve never spoken of it until today.”
A number of dignitaries were in attendance. U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski took time out from last-minute campaigning to meet Levernier.
“(Levernier) has been, and continues to be, a pillar of this community,” Walorski said. “America stood with our allies, including France, in the face of tyranny and atrocities. Dan and his fellow servicemen played pivotal roles in liberating France, freeing Europe from the grip of a tyrant and making the world safe for democracy.
“American boys risked their lives, and many made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our allies. The friendship between the United States and France to this day continues. We’re all grateful for the selfless service and unimaginable sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. And we’re grateful for heroes like Dan.”
Indiana Sen. Ryan Mishler was also in attendance, while Sen. Joe Donnelly and Gov. Eric Holcomb sent representatives.
The award was presented by Guillaume Lacroix, general counsel from the French Consulate in Chicago. He spoke of the friendship between the two countries since the establishment of the USA, and the gratitude of the French people.
“In the United States, the French people saw the potential for greatness right away, and our two countries have been allies since the beginning,” Lacroix said. “In the early days, when the United States needed supplies, we gave them willingly because we trusted them.
“That trust was returned twice, when Americans saved our country from being wiped off the face of the earth. If it weren’t for the sacrifice of Americans, France would not exist today. And even today, the French people remain grateful for that sacrifice.”
Lacroix said the award has personal significance for him as well. The airfield Levernier helped liberate and later delivered supplies to is 12 miles from where Lacroix grew up in northern France.
The diplomat also talked about the generations of the Levernier family represented at the ceremony. Don and Mary had four children, and today Don has 11 great-great-grandchildren.
“I did the math,” Lacroix smiled. “There are 55 people from your family. And we are grateful to all of them for your service.”
Doug Ruch, Milford Town Council president, served as the master of ceremonies and gave the microphone to Levernier after Lacroix pinned the medal on the veteran’s shirt.
“We had a job to do and we did it,” Levernier said. “After that, there’s just not a lot for me to say.”
