Guard Soldiers attend knighthood ceremony for World War II veteran

By: Bill Phelan
Unit Public Affairs Representative

IMAGE+LINK > Staff Sgt. Cecil McNail of the Missouri National Guard greets Amos Almeida at a recent ceremony honoring Almeida's service during World War II.
IMAGE+LINK > Amos J. Almeida is presented with the certificate of knighthood by retired Sgt. 1st Class Fred Foggie of the 101st Airborne Association during a recent ceremony honoring his service during World War II.
When Pfc. Amos J. Almeida parachuted into Normandy France in June of 1944 he had no idea that his exploits in World War II would be lauded more than 65 years later.

So it came as a great surprise when the now 88-year-old learned that he would receive the highest military honor from the nation he helped liberate from Nazi Germany.

On March 5, Almeida joined the likes of Alexander Graham Bell, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley and George S. Patton as he was named a Knight of the French Legion of Honor for his heroism in combat.

The emotional ceremony took place at the Veteran's Administration Home in north St. Louis County, where Almeida now lives. Among those in attendance were his sons, Frank and Joey Almeida, state and local dignitaries, numerous veterans from all branches of the military and a small contingent of Soldiers from the Missouri National Guard.

"I've never seen so many people in my life," joked Almeida as he gazed upon the crowd that came to honor him.

A native of California, Almeida enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was assigned to Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. The unit was part of the famed 101st Airborne Division, which fought in the Normandy Invasion, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.

On Christmas Day 1944, Almeida and his rocket launcher team were attacked by six German tanks and 75 infantry near the village of Longchamps. When an enemy tank threatened their position, Almeida deliberately exposed himself to attract the attention and fire of the tank, which allowed his platoon to engage and repel the remaining armor and infantry. After successfully avoiding enemy fire, Almeida was able to fire his rocket launcher and destroy the tank.

According to an Army citation describing the event, Almeida's, "heroic act contributed greatly to the successful defeat of the enemy attack."

From the United States, Almeida would eventually receive the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, but recognition from France came through a combination of efforts by the French government and Almeida's family.

"In 2000, the French government began a worldwide initiative to provide this knighthood honor to servicemen who helped liberate their country during World War II and Mr. Almeida is one of those heroes," said Stan Smith, the veteran's home administrator.

"I began researching this last May and I soon understood the significance of this award and how rarely it is given out," added Frank Almeida. "After that I started e-mailing officials in Washington DC and the French Consulate in Chicago. I felt my father was worthy of this honor."

What followed about seven months later was a letter from French President Nicolas Sarkozy thanking Almeida for his efforts to liberate France and informing him that he had been chosen for knighthood in the Legion of Honor.

In addition to his certificate of knighthood, Almeida was presented with a proclamation from the state of Missouri recognizing his bravery.

Like most combat veterans, Almeida was humble in his acceptance of accolades.

"I really can't believe all this," he said. "This means quite a bit to me. But very few people actually saw combat. Most people served in the rear echelon, so I'm very proud to be one of the few here that served in combat. A lot of us didn't make it back."

Among those who made the ultimate sacrifice was Almeida's brother, Louie, who was killed during the invasion of Saipan.

That kind of dedication to service was not lost on National Guard Staff Sgt. Cecil McNail of the 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment.

"This is a great honor for American troops, especially those that served in World War II, and modern Soldiers should show their support for things like this," McNail said. "The intestinal fortitude you have to have to do something like Mr. Almeida says a lot about him. World War II veterans have gone through so much more than Soldiers of today and I am proud of every one of them."

Recalling some of his conversations with Almeida, Smith may have summed up the feelings of everyone in the room.

"Mr. Almeida is one of the bravest people this country has ever produced," he said.