Current:Home > reviewsNew Orleans hat seller honored by France for service in WWII -Streamline Finance
New Orleans hat seller honored by France for service in WWII
View
Date:2025-04-15 08:53:10
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 99-year-old New Orleans businessman best known in the city as a proprietor of his family’s landmark hat store on St. Charles Avenue was honored by the president of France on Tuesday for his military service during World War II.
Samuel Meyer, who still puts in a few days a week at Meyer the Hatter, the business started by his grandfather in 1894, was awarded the rank of chevalier, or knight, of the National Order of the Legion of Honor.
“To receive this award from the French government is testament to the bond that exists between our two nations,” Meyer said during a ceremony at the National World War II Museum, blocks away from his family business. “The bond between our two nations is unbreakable. And I am honored to have played a small part in strengthening it.”
Drafted at age 18, Meyer was a corporal with the 485th Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force. He was stationed at various times in Britain, Belgium, France and Germany. He served as an armorer, charged with loading bombs and ammunition on P-38 fighter planes. “I had to put the bullets in the guns,” he explained after the ceremony.
According to the Consulate General of France in New Orleans, the National Order of the Legion of Honor was established by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19, 1802, and membership is considered France’s highest honor.
The award was bestowed on behalf of the French president by French Ambassador Laurent Bili, who pinned a medal to Meyer’s lapel as Meyer’s wife of 64 years, Marcelle, looked on with friends, family and museum visitors.
Speaking later with reporters, Bili stressed that the award must be earned.
“We are not giving an award to people for where we come from, their birth rights, but for their merit rights,” Bili said.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Drew Barrymore Addresses Criticism Over Her Touchiness With Talk Show Guests
- China says Philippines has 'provoked trouble' in South China Sea with US backing
- Supreme Court allows investors’ class action to proceed against microchip company Nvidia
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- American who says he crossed into Syria on foot is freed after 7 months in detention
- SCDF aids police in gaining entry to cluttered Bedok flat, discovers 73
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- 'September 5' depicts shocking day when terrorism arrived at the Olympics
Ranking
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Amazon's Thank My Driver feature returns: How to give a free $5 tip after delivery
- Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards
- Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Kylie Kelce's podcast 'Not Gonna Lie' tops Apple, Spotify less than a week after release
- Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled to Eastern Europe is in custody, online records show
- The brewing recovery in Western North Carolina
Recommendation
JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest
Our 12 favorites moments of 2024
This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.
IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
Through 'The Loss Mother's Stone,' mothers share their grief from losing a child to stillbirth
US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
Sabrina Carpenter Shares Her Self