FORT HAMILTON, N.Y. -- On the night when the U.S. Army Soldier Show brought its message of "Army Strong!" to the people of Fort Hamilton and New York City, a World War II veteran joined the celebration, fresh from his own reminder of what it takes to be the strength of the nation.
Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United States, paid Brooklyn native Albert Goldberg a "solemn tribute" for his contribution in the fight to liberate France and Europe from Nazi occupation with an appointment as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
On the 67th anniversary of the end of World War II, Ambassador Delattre said, "If France is what it is today, a free and sovereign country, we will never forget that it is thanks to them [American veterans], to their bravery and thanks to America," Delattre said.
Established by Napoleon Bonaparte to reward Soldiers and civilians for exceptional service, the Legion of Honor was the first modern order of merit, and appointment is the highest decoration given by the French Republic. More than 300 appointments to World War II veterans serving in France have been made since 2005.
Goldberg was among the 35 honorees at the May 8 award ceremony, presided over by Delattre. Goldberg was still in high school when the United States entered World War II, but determined to join the fight, he dropped out in his senior year and landed on the beach at Normandy a few days after D-Day. Serving with the 80th Infantry Division, Machine Gun Section, 315th Field Artillery, B Battery Battalion, and later the 90th Infantry Division, Goldberg was engaged throughout the European theater of operations, participating in the Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns before returning home to Brooklyn Christmas day 1945.
Goldberg is no stranger to the Fort Hamilton community and is a regular on post. He often spends his Thursday evenings dancing at the community club during karaoke. On Friday, May 25, Goldberg attended the special Memorial Day weekend edition of the U.S. Army Soldier Show at Fort Hamilton, currently on its 2012 tour of Army installations.
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