Lonnie Davidson’s home office is filled with old photos and mementos that he looks upon fondly as he remembers his days as a colonel in the United States Army during World War II. They are objects of pride and service.
Other objects in the room are ones of sacrifice and perseverance. Shelves of history books remind him of the difficult times, such as losing some of his friends on D-Day.
The walls are also adorned with medals and certificates he has received throughout the years. And, this week, an internationally recognized award from the French Legion of Honor was added to the collection.
U.S. veterans who risked their life during WW II to fight on French territory may be awarded this distinction. Those selected are appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor medal is not awarded posthumously. The award was created to honor extraordinary contributions to the country, as it is France’s highest distinction.
To be eligible for this outstanding award, the veteran has to fit strict criteria, fighting in at least one of the three main campaigns of the Liberation of France: Normandy, Provence/Southern France or Northern France.
As a member of the Second Armored Division, Davidson served in northern Africa and Europe from 1942 until the end of the war. He was at the scene of some of the most famous events in the European Theater, including D-Day, Battle of the Bulge and the Potsdam Conference.
For Davidson, one of the most harrowing days of his Army career was the battle at Omaha Beach on D-Day.
The French Connection
“Omaha proved to be the toughest nut of all the five Allied invasion beaches,” Davidson said. “We lost a far greater number of troops. The Utah landings were almost a cake walk compared with the landings at Omaha.”
Davidson’s unit was sent to help the 101st Airborne defend a French town near Omaha Beach that was under German attack. After the Second Armored Division accomplished a breakout and fought its way out of an German-occupied bridgehead, tension largely subsided.
“The going became much, much easier, and it was almost a Sunday drive on through France,” Davidson said.
While Davidson’s unit was in north Africa, he and other leaders in his unit helped to train French troops for battle. The Frenchmen named themselves the French Second Armored Division, as a salute to the men from whom they had learned.
Davidson returned to the U.S. in 1946, but he found himself on French soil again in 1954, for the 10-year anniversary of D-Day. He was not just a participant that day, but the commander of American forces — Army, Navy and Air Force — during the ceremony.
“The French, of course, host these ceremonies, and they involve every nation that fought the Germans in World War II — except, of course, the Soviet block,” Davidson said.
Every 10 years since then, a commemoration has been held at the beaches. Davidson has been back to France twice since the first commemoration.
“There’s something about the Normandy American cemetery that gives me a feeling that I am unable to put into words,” Davidson said. “But if it was possible, I would want to spend my time waiting on the return of our divine creator in that cemetery.”
An Award Well-Deserved
This week, Davidson traveled to DeLand, which, despite its French name, is not across the Atlantic, but in Volusia County, Florida. Still, representatives of the European country he has become so familiar with were present to thank and congratulate him.
With his wife and another WW II veteran who lives in Plant City, Davidson attended a ceremony hosted by the French Legion of Honor Tuesday, Dec. 9. He and other veterans were honored for their dedication to the Allies, specifically in France. Similar ceremonies are periodically conducted throughout Florida and in other regions of the U.S.
Davidson endured challenges during the war and grew as a leader, but one of the takeaways for which he is most thankful is friendship. He is still close with other officers from his division and visits with them whenever possible.
“They gave me a surprise birthday party, coming from all over the country,” Davidson said. “That was one of the most humbling experiences in all of my career, and, I could say, of my life.”
A number of his friends also found out about his award from the French Legion of Honor and have called to congratulate him.
COL. DAVIDSON’S WW II TIMELINE
Dec. 24, 1942: Arrival in Casablanca, Morocco
July 10, 1943: Invasion of Sicily
November 1943: Arrival in England to prepare for D-Day
June 6, 1944: D-Day; battle at Omaha Beach, France
Dec. 16, 1944: Battle of the Bulge, Belgium
July 4, 1945: Arrival in Berlin
January 1946: Return to United States, arriving in New York City
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.