A Louisiana veteran of World War II has received an award from France for his actions during the World War II. Lawrence Boudreaux, 97, received a French Legion of Honor medal Tuesday for his service at Normandy.
France's new ambassador to the United States, Philippe Etienne, bestowed France's highest order of merit to Boudreaux at a veterans home in Jennings. Etienne says France wanted to pay tribute to Boudreaux and "all American veterans who liberated France and Europe."
Private First Class Boudreaux was inducted into the Army on February 9, 1943 and was part of the elite 101st Airborne Division when he hit the beaches at Normandy for D-Day. His battles and campaigns include Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Among Boudreaux's other medals are the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal.
After the war Boudreaux returned to Louisiana where he entered law enforcement with the Welsh Police Department eventually rising to the rank of Chief.