On June 17 at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. William Leopold of Jim Thorpe, a World War II veteran, was awarded France's highest honor, the National Order of Legion of Honor for his distinguished military service in France.

The award was signed by the president of the French Republic on May 16.The award was created by Napoleon in 1802 to acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of great merit. It is a sign of France's gratitude and appreciation for the soldier's personal contribution and for the United States' decisive role in the liberation of their country during World War II.Leopold was a PFC in the 75th Infantry Division Company C-291, Regiment Rifleman First Scout. He was seriously wounded in action in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium in January of 1944.Leopold has attended many reunions of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium at Bastagone.