Oregon WWII Veterans Honored by France

Three WWII veterans have been awarded the Legion of Honor by France for their military service. Friday, at the Portland Art Museum, the French Consul General Pierre-François Mourier presented the prestigious award to 88-year-old Dale Reynolds of Lake Oswego, 84-year-old William Tankersley of Gold Beach, and 87-year-old George Insley of Roseburg. Also receiving the award will be Donald Malarkey of Salam, who was out of the country during the ceremony.

Insley flew more than 50 bombing missions during the war, Tankersley was wounded three times as he fought across France, Belgium and Luxembourg and Reynolds was wounded twice as he fought in Lorient, Nantes, and Saint-Nazaire. Consul General Mourier declared each veteran a knight of the Legion as he pinned red ribbons and gold and white medals on their chests “As young men you left your country, your family and friends to risk your lives,” Mourier declared, “France will never forget.”