More than 60 years ago, Staff Sgt. Samuel Kramer fought his way across northern France under Gen. George Patton.
His service has not been forgotten -- especially by the French government.
Next Friday, Kramer will be honored for his
World War II
service as he is named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of France's highest honors, at a ceremony at the French Embassy in Washington.
"It was like a thunderbolt out of the sky, you might say," said Kramer, now 93, who lives at Foulk Manor North in Brandywine Hundred. "It really shook me up that I was even getting it."
Kramer's memories of his service remain fresh and vital. He spent 10 years in the infantry, including three years overseas in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia and France.
"We were all over," Kramer recalled. "Don't forget, we were with Patton -- we didn't sit still."
As a staff sergeant, his main job was to "break in the new guys" as they came along, readying them for the theater of operations, working to liberate France, Kramer said. "The old story -- your rifle is your best friend, and all that," he said.
He joined the Army in 1935, and served at posts around the country. "We were still using
World War I practices," he said, recalling the start of the war. "Then overnight, it changed."
The American troops got a warm welcome from the French people in the countryside, who gave the soldiers eggs and alcohol, Kramer said.
"Being with Patton, we would just whiz right across the country -- some days, we went 40, 50 miles."
Kramer's U.S. decorations include
the Bronze Star and a Meritorious Unit Citation.
The Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon in 1802, and has since served as France's highest award. It honors outstanding service to the country.
After the war, Kramer went into the auto parts and paint business, and also worked overseas for General Motors before
retiring at age 81.
He recalls the leadership of Patton, one of America's most noted military commanders, as exemplary.
"He would never call me sergeant -- he always used to say 'Kramer.' Why, I never figured it out," Kramer said. "But he was nice to me. ... Too bad we don't have a few Pattons around today."
Kramer still has his collection of
medals from his service, and is excited about the award, said Ilene Diamond, marketing director for Foulk Manor North.
iti s a shame that it took so long for the WWII Vets to be recognized Congrats to Mr Kramer 
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