A belated thanks
French honor Memphian for WWII military service
“It makes you feel very
humble to
think that
people think that much
of your
service.”
Seventy years after Dow Crews fought in the liberation of France from Nazi Germany, the World War II veteran and native Memphian got a big “thank you” from the country he helped defend.
Crews, 87, and eight members of his family traveled to Atlanta on Jan. 12 where he and 14 other World War II veterans were inducted into the French Legion of Honor.
Unlike veterans of more recent wars, Crews said World War II veterans are often shown courtesy and respect for their service.
“It makes you feel very humble to think that people think that much of your service,” said Crews, who lives in East Memphis and spent his postwar career working in the credit department at Goldsmith’s.
“I don’t know about all veterans, but when people find out that I am a veteran of World War II, people will come up to you that you don’t know and speak to you and thank you for your service. I would hope that all veterans have that type of experience.”
The National Order of the Legion of Honor was first established by the emperor Napoleon in 1802 to recognize those who render great personal service to France. It is France’s highest order.
Crews was drafted into the Army at age 18 in 1942 and served as a rifle platoon sergeant in Company I in the 397th regiment of the 100th Infantry Division. Over the next year and a half, he led about 40 men in campaigns across southern France, Alsace and later in central and southern Germany.
“Young people at that age doing what we were doing felt that they were immortal and wouldn’t get hurt,” said Crews. “We were doing what we thought we should do and wanted to do.
“It’s a different situation now. (Families) could be in contact with (soldiers) every day through the Internet. With me, if I got a letter once every six months that was something.”
Crews was awarded a Bronze Star by the United States and returned home without having been wounded. Crews said about 75 percent of the men in his division were either wounded or killed.
“The biggest fear as far as I was concerned was walking through land-mine fields,” said Crews. “They were covered up and you didn’t know you were in it. Then you didn’t know how to get out.”
In Atlanta, the award, including a medal and a certificate signed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, was presented by Pascal Le Deunff, Consul General of France for the American Southeast, who said the United States and France have “intertwined destinies” because of their shared histories in World War II.
“Without each other, neither France nor America would be the country it is today,” said Le Deunff in his remarks. “The FrenchAmerican friendship is bound in blood, and let’s always remember that our two nations owe each other their own existence as free countries.”
Crews began the application process about six months ago. His account of his war experiences were documented and verified in Washington before being forwarded on to France for approval.
All of the honorees hail from southeastern states.
The recognition was made all the more poignant by the safe return of Crews’ grandson, Phillip Crews, who recently served with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan.
Despite the fact that communication is more technologically advanced now and that discussions about the reasons behind wars are more open, Crews said support for veterans may be dwindling.
“When we went into World War II, the whole country was 100 percent behind it,” said Crews. “It was just a question of when should we get started? There were some questions about World War II, but it didn’t get the publicity that it does today. I’m sure it’s very difficult for the ones in service if they don’t get the support.”