Posted on Jul 22, 2016
Former stowaway and WWII Vet decorated by France - VAntage Point
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From a coward to a hero. You will enjoy reading about this stowaway who became a hero, which was the farthest thing he wanted.
Manuel Mercedes came to the United States in a somewhat unusual way. Having served in the Spanish navy, he saw what Nazi Germany was doing to his country and wanted none of that, so in 1943 he stowed away on a ship bound for New York.
Seventy-three years later, the former stowaway received the highest award the country of France can bestow on an individual – the Legion of Honor. He joined nine other area World War II Veterans who received the medal during a ceremony in Pinellas Park July 14, France’s Bastille Day.
Mercedes, now 99 years old, was 25 when he snuck aboard a ship and was discovered after they docked in New York. At that, he was offered two choices his son John Mercedes said.
Manuel Mercedes came to the United States in a somewhat unusual way. Having served in the Spanish navy, he saw what Nazi Germany was doing to his country and wanted none of that, so in 1943 he stowed away on a ship bound for New York.
Seventy-three years later, the former stowaway received the highest award the country of France can bestow on an individual – the Legion of Honor. He joined nine other area World War II Veterans who received the medal during a ceremony in Pinellas Park July 14, France’s Bastille Day.
Mercedes, now 99 years old, was 25 when he snuck aboard a ship and was discovered after they docked in New York. At that, he was offered two choices his son John Mercedes said.
Former stowaway and WWII Vet decorated by France - VAntage Point
Posted from blogs.va.gov
WWII World War Two
France
Heroes
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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SGT (Join to see)
Very cool. I've actually met/served with a few people who were veterans of their home country's armed forces before moving to America.
I served with an Italian Army veteran on the USS Halsey, and met a Russian Navy submarine veteran on the USS Nimitz.
Very cool. I've actually met/served with a few people who were veterans of their home country's armed forces before moving to America.
I served with an Italian Army veteran on the USS Halsey, and met a Russian Navy submarine veteran on the USS Nimitz.
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SGT (Join to see)
That is very cool PO1 John Miller. I've never even met someone from a different countries military, except the ARVN,
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Great story SGT (Join to see). The greatest generation is coming to a close and I have heard that said about us already! Hey when will we be decorated? LOL
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SGT (Join to see)
I guess when we're coming to a close, but then, how many Vietnam veterans will be thought of? Remember, we weren't in a war. We were in a Police Action, SFC William Farrell. Lol
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SFC William Farrell
SGT (Join to see) - 57,939 deaths from a police action. Yeah right! We were in a war that we paid dearly for Keith and for many, we are still paying dearly.
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SGT (Join to see)
That was what the VFW and Americn Legion told me when I tried to join. I thought it was another way to discount us, like when we got home. I've never stepped a foot in any of them. We were in our own war, by ourselves. We just didn't know it until we came back. I'm not bitter anymore, but I'm still disgusted with VFW and American Legion. Now I suppose Vietnam vets are running those.
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