World War II veterans receive Legion of Honor

Retired Col. Lloyd Cain who retired from the Missouri National Guard in 1976 after 33 years of service, retired Brig. Gen. Frank Crooks who was in the Army Air Corp before serving in the Missouri Air National Guard, and retired Lt. Col. Francis "Bud" Jones who was serving in the Army Air Corps before serving in the Air Force Reserve, receive the Legion of Honor for valorous actions during the liberation of France during World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu, Missouri National Guard).

By Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Three World War II veterans received the Legion of Honor for valorous actions at the Capitol building in Jefferson City.

The recipients, all Jefferson City residents, include retired Col. Lloyd Cain who retired from the Missouri National Guard in 1976 after 33 years of service, retired Brig. Gen. Frank Crooks who was in the Army Air Corp before serving in the Missouri Air National Guard, and retired Lt. Col. Francis "Bud" Jones who was serving in the Army Air Corps before serving in the Air Force Reserve.

"Today I am pleased to honor three Missourians from the greatest generation," said Gov. Jay Nixon, the governor of Missouri. "Their heroism during the second World War has earned them the highest honor bestowed by the people of France."

Lloyd Cain was called up to Active-duty in the Army in 1943, after he had completed two years of college at Purdue University in Indiana. In December, 1944, he and his fellow Soldiers in the 100th Division found themselves fighting along the French-German border. Cain, a spotter for our mortars, earned the Silver Star for his service and actions in the war.

Cain also deployed again to Korea in 1952 as a mortar commander and to Vietnam in 1965 as an advisor to the South Vietnamese army. He retired in 1976 as a colonel serving as the senior Army advisor for the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City.

Frank Crooks flew bombing missions against military targets during the war. Crooks manned the top turret machine gun, firing at enemy fighters trying to bring them down. Crooks completed 60 combat missions before the end of the war.

After the war, Crooks rejoined the Air Force and served with the Air National Guard out of Rosecrans in St. Joseph. He retired in 1984 at the rank of brigadier general and was later promoted to major general by Governor Kit Bond.

Bud Jones became an aviator, learning to fly the P-40 Fighter. Lt. Jones and other pilots of the 324th Fighter Group flew air strikes from a base in Italy. Jones flew 117 successful missions and received numerous decorations including two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Jones served in the Air Force Reserve after the war. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1981.

Here in America we pay tribute to these veterans, remembering their valor in the military, Nixon said.

"Our allies also remember the courage and sacrifice of these young Americans more than 65 years ago," Nixon said. "The French government has recognized many of the American Soldiers and Airmen who distinguished themselves in the liberation of France by bestowing on them that country's highest award, the Legion of Honor. Even as this generation of veterans passes on, the stories of their heroism continues to come to the attention of the French government for consideration for this award."

The Legion of Honor is the highest award bestowed by the French Republic. All three men were named as Knights of the Legion of Honor for their actions during the liberation of France during the war.

In 2010, Gov. Nixon presented the Legion of Honor to two other mid-Missouri veterans of World War II, Perry Coy, of Jefferson City; and Gilbert Pritzel, of Holts Summit.

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Gov. Jay Nixon presents the Legion of Honor medal to retired Col. Lloyd Cain. Cain is recognized for his actions during the liberation of France during World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu).

Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, presents a coin to retired Lt. Col. Francis "Bud" Jones. Jones received the Legion of Honor medal for his actions during the liberation of France during World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu, Missouri National Guard).