10 Ohio veterans given French honor

COLUMBUS (AP) — France has awarded its highest honor to 10 U.S. military veterans living in Ohio for their service during World War II.

The men received the Knight of the Legion of Honor medals Wednesday during a Statehouse ceremony.

Honorees are 87-year-old Chester Collins of Chillicothe, 87-year-old James Dane of Dayton, 88-year-old Rex Hoon of New Concord, 85-year-old Thomas Jennings of Milford, 84-year-old Steve Jezioski of Valley City, 90-year-old Louis Prince of Cincinnati, 84-year-old Harry Ruggles of Stowe, 85-year-old Arthur Shumate of Middletown, 86-year-old Joe Thompson of West Carrollton and 84-year-old Herman Zerger Jr. of Woodsfield.

Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 19th century, the legion is France’s elite national merit society. Foreigners cannot be inducted but are routinely made honorary recipients.