In Recognition of Normand Drapeau for Being Awarded the Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor

Floor Speech

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize Normand Drapeau for being awarded the chevalier (knighthood) of the French Legion of Honor by the French Government for his courageous actions while serving in the United States Navy during World War II.

Normand was born on May 1, 1925 in Holyoke, Massachusetts into a large Catholic family as the oldest boy of twelve children. He attended the Immaculate Conception School for his primary education as well as spent a year at LaSalette Seminary in New Hampshire before ultimately deciding to work as a butcher at his family's business, Drapeau's Market. In 1942 on Holy Thursday when he was only seventeen, Normand enlisted in the United States Navy and was shipped off to boot camp the next day on Good Friday. After he completed amphibious training in Little Creek, Virginia and Fort Pierce, Florida, he was sent off to Dartmouth, England in preparation for the invasion of France.

However, Normand did not have to wait until D-Day to see some action. On April 27, 1944, German gunboats attacked Normand's flotilla while they were on an exercise in the English Channel. One of the blasts threw Normand into the channel but he was not seriously injured. A month later, when General Eisenhower postponed the invasion of Normandy due to poor weather conditions, Normand's Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) flotilla decided to embark across the 120-mile channel when their tow got cancelled. Once the flotilla reached Omaha Beach, Normand faced the brutal fighting and harsh reality that the beach is infamous for in order to liberate France. Normand was slightly injured during the battle but was able to be treated on the battlefield.

On June 16, 1944, Normand was hit by a landmine and was seriously wounded. This led to a difficult and dangerous journey back to the United States. He was put on a Landing Ship Tank (LST) to be brought back to a hospital in England. While on board, the ship was hit by a German torpedo and was disabled, forcing it to be towed back to England. Once in the hospital in England receiving treatment, he still had to deal with a series of German attacks. The hospital was hit by German V1 and V2 rockets, causing severe damage to the building. Normand was then moved to Scotland to await a cargo plane to take him back to the U.S. His original plane was overbooked, forcing him to fly to Newfoundland first. This last minute change ended up saving Normand's life because his original plane was shot down. He eventually got back to the United States and was treated at a naval hospital. Normand was discharged from the Navy in June 1945 and received two Purple Hearts for being wounded on the battlefield.

Mr. Speaker, Normand Drapeau is the epitome for our quiet American heroes. This very humble man does not seek any recognition or special attention for his bravery. He simply wanted to serve his country and to defend the enduring cause for freedom around the world. As the French government awards Normand with one of its highest honors, I want to take a moment to thank Normand on behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the American people for his service to our nation and congratulate him on receiving this prestigious honor.

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