Second World War veterans Gerry Gaudet (left) and John Thompson, both 92, received the Legion of Honour award at the Whalley Legion Monday from Jean-Christophe Fleury (centre), the Consul General of France in Canada.
To mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the French government is recognizing all living Canadian veterans who participated in the D-Day operation. The Legion of Honour award is the highest decoration France can bestow.
Both Surrey veterans participated in the D-Day attack in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 – Gaudet as a mine sweeper in the army and Thompson in the air force.
According to Fleury, there remain about 600 D-Day survivors in Canada.