Congressman Lamar Smith 21st district of Texas

Washington, Sep 25 -

A local area veteran was formally awarded the “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur” at an event in Paris yesterday for his service to the French people during World War II.  U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Robert E. Kelso received the award for his personal contribution as a member of the U.S. Army in the liberation of France during World War II. The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon in 1802 to acknowledge service rendered to France by persons of great merit.

Lt. Colonel Kelso, 82, is believed to be the youngest living American veteran of World War II.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 13 in 1944 because of a mistake on his draft board records. Despite his young age, he convinced his mother to let him serve his country.  He went on to fight in Europe with an armored field artillery battalion.  He was wounded in battle and became the youngest American soldier serving in Europe to receive the Purple Heart during World War II. 

Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) today congratulated Lt. Colonel Kelso for the honor and thanked him for his service to America. 

Congressman Smith: “Lt. Colonel Kelso’s extraordinary courage at such a young age is a reminder of why his generation is often called the Greatest Generation. Lt. Colonel Kelso served his country with distinction. But he also served the citizens of France by helping to liberate them from the Nazi regime. This medal is a small token of gratitude that represents the tremendous sacrifice made by hundreds of thousands of Americans to free Europe from Nazi rule. I congratulate Lt. Colonel Kelso for this award and thank him for his service to America and to all mankind.”