A suburban Chicago who fought for the U.S. at the Battle of the Bulge and on D-Day will become a knight of the French Legion of Honor later this month for his contribution to the liberation of France.
Jim Butz will receive the honor, which is considered France's highest distinction, on March 1 at the French consulate in Chicago, the Daily Herald reported. The Schaumburg resident will be honored for his role liberating France from Germany in 1944 and 1945.
The award cannot be given posthumously. U.S. veterans who fought in one of four French campaigns in World War II can receive the honor, which is bestowed annually to only 100 people.
"I have just had a marvelous life," he said. "God has been so good to me. When I finish my life, I can't complain."
Butz has had leukemia for the last nine years and is battling macular degeneration. Butz enlisted in the Army in 1943 and in January 1944 he was deployed to Europe. He earned two Bronze Stars during the war.
"I grew up in a hurry in the Army," he said. "I felt so proud. There was such a patriotic spirit."
Butz described the long, difficult Battle of the Bulge as, "the worst battle, the worst time of my life."
He said his children and several friends will be there at the official ceremony.
"It's a very great honor to have a foreign country do this," he said.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:54:40 GMT
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:46:42 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:41 GMT
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:27:06 GMT
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
