France to honor Indiana World War ll veteran
WALDRON, Ind. (WISH) — WW2 veteran Howard Bettner, 98, of Waldron, IN will be awarded France’s highest distinction for his participation in the liberation of France during WW2.
Consul General of France in Chicago, Yannick Tagand, will officially present the Legion of Honor medal to Bettner at his home in Waldron on March 21.
During WW2, Bettner served in the Navy and was assigned to the European Theater. He participated in the famous Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, landing soldiers in the first and second waves at Omaha Beach. Bettner made over 40 roundtrips between France and England, returning causalities and prisoners, and brought back troops and supplies.
Bettner was honorably discharged in February 1946 and was awarded many distinctions for his service during the war, including WWII Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the American Medal, the Amphibious Force Commendation, and the Good Conduct Medal.
