WWII D-Day Veteran Joseph Vogelgesang decorated on D-Day’s 80th anniversary [fr]
On June 6, 2024, 80 years after the Normandy landings he took part in with the Calgary Highlanders, Canadian Veteran Joseph Vogelgesang, now living in Abbotsford, BC, was presented with the insignia of “Knight of the Legion of Honour”, France’s highest National Order, from the Consul General of France in Vancouver, Nicolas Baudouin, in Vancouver. The decoration took place during the BC Regiment Association’s ceremony held at St Julien Square.
Mr Vogelgesang is decorated with France’s highest distinction to illustrate the profound gratitude that the French Republic wishes to express to him for his service during WWII, including on that day of June 6, 1944, when he landed on French soil, ready to give his life to help liberate France. He was only 19 years-old.
This decoration is to honour him, to honour his unfathomable bravery and recognize the inextinguishable debt that France solemny owes him for contributing to changing the course of history and breaking Europe free.
« On June 6th 1944, together with 14 000 other Canadians, Mr Joseph Vogelgesang landed on Juno beach to join a fight for people he did not know, in a place he had never been before. Yet he chose to fight for freedom and helped liberate my country, France, from the Nazis. 80 years ago may seem like a long time but today, awarding him with France’s highest distinction, the Legion of Honour, it feels very real and reminds us that freedom is never definitely won. France will never forget and is forever grateful to those who came to help us”. Nicolas Baudouin
Through Mister Vogelgesang, France also wishes to pay homage to his fallen comrads. WWII touched almost every Canadian family and this reality is not lost on the French people. 47 0000 Canadians died during WWII. The Legion of Honor aknowledges all Canadians who fought for us to defend France as well as their families who experienced the conflict in their own way too. France is grateful for Canada’s involvement during WWII.
Also in attendance was Mr Greenwoord, decorated in 2015.
French and Canadian political and military authorities are side by side to ensure that the memory of these collective exploits is not lost, and are working together to keep this legacy alive.
France will never forget.
About Joseph Vogelgesang
Joseph Vogelgesang was born in rural Saskatchewan, the second in a family of 10 children. The 30s were a particularly difficult time for farmers, which forced him to set out on his own at only 15 to find work wherever he could. He volunteered in the army in Regina at 17, and when the Calgary Highlanders requested volunteers, he answered the call and left for England in early 1944.
On June 6, 1944 at 8 am, he landed on Juno beach along with the 14 000 other Canadian soldiers.
After the war, he stayed and served in the peace core until June 1945 and later married his wife, Irene, in Canada. They have 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. In the words of his children, he is an avid reader and enjoys learning, and his “amazing memory keeps him up to date and knowledgeable of world events”. He also has the nickname of Mr. Fix It.
About France’s Veterans campaign decoration
In 2014, on the occasion of the Normandy and Provence landings’ 70th anniversary commemorations, the then-President of the French Republic, François Hollande, undertook to honor the Canadian Veterans who participated in the operations to liberate France during the Second World War. With this campaign, France remembers the sacrifice of all Canadians who came to liberate France and Europe from the Nazi yoke. The people of France will never forget.
Since 2014, nearly 1300 veterans were identified and decorated during ceremonies held from coast to coast in Canada, including 241 in BC.
Anyone who knows a living Canadian Veteran who took part in operations on French soil during WWII, may contact our Embassy of France in Ottawa, these Veterans could be eligible for the Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honor). In accordance with France’s Code of the Legion of Honour, this distinction can only be bestowed upon recipients who are still living when the nominating decree is issued. Veterans cannot receive the medal posthumously.
About France’s Legion of Honour
France’s Legion of Honour was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It rewards citizens for their merits, irrespective of social or hereditary considerations. The Knight of the French Legion of Honour medal is a five-armed cross with a V-shaped cut-out at the end of each arm, generally surmounted by a wreath of laurel leaves.
Media coverage
CTV news Vancouver, News at 6 PM video
Global News, News at 6 PM video
Canadian Press’s article published in :
The Vancouver Sun
American publications :
Anchorage Daily News