Wondel Smith, Sr. to be awarded a Chevalier in the French National Order of the Legion

In Memory of
Wondel Smith
September 5, 1911 - September 22, 2011


Hello,

Wondel Smith, Sr. a native of Branchland, West Virginia who currently resides in Tampa, Florida to be awarded a Chevalier in the French National Order of the Legion.

I've included a link to the citation below in my blog.

Good Day,

Philip

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Public Service Announcement
August 20, 2011


Mr. Wondel Smith, Sr. of Tampa, Florida originally from Branchland, West Virginia married my father's sister Mae more than 70 years ago. {ref.}

The government of France wants to make his 100th. birthday extra special by awarding him a Chevalier in the French National Order of the Legion of Honor {wikipedia} - http://bit.ly/py3q3X

I have many fond memories of Wondel when he and Mae would visit the farm of Sidney Atkins in Harts, West Virginia during the summer.

Wondel would tow a U-Haul trailer from Tampa full of orange blossom honey. The honey usually sold out in a few weeks and I don't remember it ever lasting any longer than this amount of time.

Wondel would often talk about his battle buddies and a few war stories of his WWII adventures throughout Germany and Belgium at the home of Don Ramey of Harts. He was eventually wounded at the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. {wikipedia}

I believed that this is eventually what caused me to study European history with a great zeal under the instruction of 'Wild' Bill Adkins. He would often comment that I was his best student.

I later joined the US Army in 1978 and after serving a career in the military I eventually returned to Germany in 2006 where I've spent more than 10 years living and working.

I've also visited many battlefields in Belgium, France, Germany and Poland.

I'd like to think that after listening to my uncle Wondel and visiting the battlefields of Europe has made me a better person today.

Godsped uncle Wondel.


Wondel Smith is a life member of the VFW, having served in WWII in England, France, Belgium and Germany. He received the following awards, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, European-African-Middle-Eastern-Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Honorable Service Lapel Button.





He also is a life member of the Florida Education Association.

Related Story;

Mr. Wondel Smith, Sr. {photo} {photo2}
Chevalier in the French National Order of the Legion of Honor
http://bit.ly/py3q3X


But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. - Mark 10:30


In Memory of
Wondel Smith
September 5, 1911 - September 22, 2011


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Source;

http://bit.ly/oL3abf


Philip Atkins is a freelance writer and government contractor who resides in Tacoma, Washington with his wife Diana.



Copyright 2011 Atkins & Assoc. All rights reserved.