WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, Arthur Ordel of Albemarle County, Virginia and Robert L. Sales of Amherst County, Virginia each received a medal from French President Francois Hollande as a token of gratitude for helping liberate France from Nazi German occupation. Sales and Ordel are among six World War II veterans chosen to be awarded the French Legion of Honor by French President Francois Hollande at a historic Arlington ceremony.
Robert Sales fought through the first wave of the D-Day offensive with the Virginia National Guard, leaving him partially blind. Arthur Ordel fought with the U.S. Army Air Corps and sixteen of his bombing missions were in France. For his 35 total missions, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) attended this afternoon's ceremony, and said, "It was an honor to be able to witness this historic event today. I extend my congratulations to Mr. Ordel and Mr. Sales upon receiving this recognition for their bravery and service to our nation and the world. We are forever grateful for the sacrifices these veterans have made for our country."
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