Warren Fisher, a World War II veteran, has received the Légion d’honneur, the highest award established by France, for his bravery and service during the war, writes Linda Finarelli for The Times Herald.

Fisher, a resident of Foulkeways Retirement Community in Lower Gwynedd, was a member of the 28th Division, also known as the Pennsylvania division, of the U.S. Army 109th Infantry. He was awarded the medal in part for his heroics during the Battle of Colmar Pocket.

Fisher recalled the long and bitter battle that took place from the end of 1944 to February 19, 1945. Its objective was to push the German Army out of the Alsace city of Colmar.

“We had a huge battle,” he said. “It was so cold the rifles wouldn’t work, so we took aircraft artillery and made it horizontal and used it like a machine gun.”

Michael Scullin, the honorary counsel of France in Philadelphia and Wilmington, presented the medal to Fisher during a ceremony at Foulkeways.

The Légion d’honneur “recognizes all the personal sacrifices you made in the liberation of France and Europe,” said Scullin. “France knows and will always remember the price paid there.”

Read more about Fisher in The Times Herald by clicking here.