James A. Huston, former dean of Lynchburg College, will receive the French Legion of Honor on Friday, June 5, in a ceremony at the Invalides in Paris. On Saturday, June 6, he will participate in ceremonies at the Normandy beaches and airdrop locations, led by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. President Barack Obama, commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
During World War II he was an infantry battalion operations officer with the 134th Infantry, 35th Division, in action from Normandy across France then up to the Ardennes "Bulge" and on to the Elbe River in Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Oakleaf Cluster during his service.
Michel Schaffhauser, Consul General of France, in a letter informing Huston of the award, wrote:
"I have the honor to inform you that you have been awarded the Legion of Honor, with the rank of 'Chevalier,' in recognition of your distinguished military service in the battlefields of France, which led to its liberation. To the congratulations of the French Government, I would like to add my own."
Francois Rivasseau, Le Charge d'Affaires at the French Embassy in Washington, wrote:
"This award testifies to the President of the French Republic's high esteem for your merits and accomplishments. In particular, it is a sign of France's true and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation for your personal, precious contribution to the United States decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II.
"The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802 to acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of great merit. The French people will never forget your courage and your devotion to the great cause of freedom."
Huston has written histories of his battalion and his regiment in World War II, a history of airborne operations, an account of postwar France in reconstruction, and has compiled a collection of stories of the refugees of Normandy in 1944.
He was dean of the college at Lynchburg College for 12 years. He holds A.B. and M.A. degrees from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from New York University, and had further post-graduate study at Oxford and Fribourg (Switzerland).
He taught history at Purdue University for 25 years, with time out for a year on the faculty of the Naval War College and two years on the faculty of the National War College before coming to Lynchburg in 1972.
Later he served as director of the Westover Honors Program at LC and director of the Lynchburg College Symposium Readings program of classical readings, writing, and speaking across the curriculum designed to promote critical thinking.
Huston's wife, Anne Marshall Huston, LC professor of education Emerita, and several other family members will attend the ceremonies in France.