It's safe to say that there aren't too many residents of Mountain View who belong to the French Legion of Honor. Alfonso Barreras, an 80-year-old Mountain View resident, is the latest to receive the honor.
Barreras, 90, was born in Arizona and said he was raised in a working family where they "followed the crops for work."
The April 21 induction ceremony of took place at the San Francisco home of Pauline Carmona, the Consulate General of France. Barreras was among eight World War II veterans who were honored.
"It was a very personal and heartfelt ceremony ... and after the ceremony, many photos and stories (were) exchanged. It was truly a wonderful day for the veterans and their families," said Barreras' niece, Mitzi Johnston.
The French Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1892. The Order is the highest decoration in France and is distinguished by five degrees. Barreras was awarded the Chevalier or Knight distinction for his service in the United States Army.
"I was chosen for this award for my service during World War II, fighting on the front lines in France from the shores of Normandy, helping to liberate France from Germany," Barreras said.
Barreras was drafted into the war in 1943 at age 18 and served as a rifleman assigned to the 79th Infantry Division. While the war took place decades ago, he distinctly recalls the members of his squad and an incident that led him to be reported missing. During the war, one of his fellow soldiers had been seriously wounded and he accompanied the wounded man who was being transported to the medics.
"I was gone from my squad for a few days. My squad didn't know where I was, so I was reported missing. It took me two days to return to my squad," Barreras said. "All but myself and one other soldier from our original were squad were injured or killed."
Barreras received an honorable discharge on February 1, 1946.
After the war, Barreras said he initially had difficulties sleeping in a normal bed after sleeping on the ground for so long.
"I slept on the floor or with boards under my bed for some time before I could sleep in a soft comfortable bed," Barreras said.
Comments
Old Mountain View
on May 20, 2015 at 12:32 pm
on May 20, 2015 at 12:32 pm
He aged ten years in the time it took to read one sentence!
Martens-Carmelita
on May 20, 2015 at 1:47 pm
on May 20, 2015 at 1:47 pm
First he's 80 then he's 90. The medal was created by Napoleon more than 70 years after he died. Lots of problems here. Good thing I already read this story a month ago when it was actually news.
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on May 20, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Registered user
on May 20, 2015 at 2:46 pm
OK, the writing is a little quirky. A typo or two (the award was created in 1802, not 1892 -- I sure hope most people writing today would spot a problem with Napoleon Bonaparte doing anything at all in 1892). And 3rd paragraph declares that Pauline Carmona lives at the French Consulate (it would be more usual to identify Carmona herself as a French Consul, or is she just someone who lives there?)
But those are trivial things. This award is a big deal (highest decoration from a nation that likes to award decorations). Roughly like, in England, the monarch naming Mr Barreras "Sir Alphonso." In the French-speaking world, he has earned the formal title "Chevalier Barreras."
My father, like the fathers of many of my peers, was among many soldiers who participated in the invasion of western Europe spearheaded by Mr. (now Chevalier) Barreras and his comrades. We should all be proud that a veteran of such service and recognized distinction lives in Mountain View today, and I'm glad the Voice featured the story.
Sylvan Park
on May 20, 2015 at 3:52 pm
on May 20, 2015 at 3:52 pm
I am guessing they meant to say he was an 80 year resident of MV (as the following sentence said he was born in AZ). Hopefully the editor will correct for hardcopy version of the MVV.
In any case, I would like to say 'Thank you for your service Mr Barreras and congratulations on this great honor'
Many of us have fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers who served in WWII, many were injured, some never returned. Let's continue to honor those who are still with us. The number of surviving WWII Veterans is dwindling, in a few more years there will be none left. Web Link
Rengstorff Park
on May 20, 2015 at 5:16 pm
on May 20, 2015 at 5:16 pm
English is my second language, but I notice all these logical and factual mistakes and odd word order or repeated words...