3 days ago
World War II veterans honored with prestigious French military decoration
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two American World War II veterans, Bob Wilson and Peter Sanzo, were honored with the French Legion of Honour on Thursday at the American Legion in La Mesa.
The prestigious award, presented by the Consul General of France in Los Angeles, recognizes their outstanding service during the war. Wilson, 105, and Sanzo, 103, stood proudly as they received the medals, a testament to their bravery and dedication.
'I wish my wife was here,' said Wilson, reflecting on the accomplishment and his 72-year marriage to his late wife.
Memorial Day: Hundreds pay tribute at Miramar National Cemetery
'This is amazing. There's no words,' expressed Sanzo, overwhelmed by the honor.
Sanzo served as a tank operator in the U.S. Army, participating in significant campaigns such as Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
'He saw really horrific battles,' his daughter, Judi Sanzo, said. 'He nearly died at Battle of the Bulge. He was hospitalized for almost 12 months. His family thought he had died because they found his dog tags and they sent them home.'
Wilson, a U.S. Navy veteran, served during the D-Day landing at Omaha Beach and continued his military career through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. This service inspired his granddaughter to follow in his footsteps.
As the ceremony concluded, Sanzo issued a salute to the applause of the audience, while Wilson expressed his gratitude with a simple, 'Thank you very much.'
The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these veterans, who remain humble and proud of their contributions to history.
All facts from this article were gathered by FOX 5/KUSI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by FOX 5/KUSI staff.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
