Article updated: 3/2/2013 11:55 AM

Schaumburg WW II vet awarded Legion of Honor

France gives medal to WWII veteran from Schaumburg

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 4 of 7
   

Jim Butz of Schaumburg and Consul Graham Paul hold a champagne toast after Paul presented Butz with the Legion of Honor medal at the Consulate General of France in Chicago on Friday.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Jim Butz of Schaumburg and his family, including granddaughter Kerry Butz of Elk Grove Village at far left, toast with champagne after he received the French Legion of Honor medal Friday at French Consulate in Chicago.

photos by George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.co

This is the French Legion of Honor medal.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Gallery Image

Jim Butz of Schaumburg receives the French Legion of Honor medal from Consul Graham Paul at the Consulate General of France in Chicago on Friday. He was honored for his service in liberating France on D-Day and in the Battle of the Bulge.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Jim Butz of Schaumburg receives the French Legion of Honor medal from Consul Graham Paul at the Consulate General of France in Chicago on Friday. Butz was honored for his service in liberating France on D-Day and in the Battle of the Bulge.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Jim Butz of Schaumburg receives a hug from his granddaughter Kerry Butz of Elk Grove Village after he received the French Legion of Honor medal at the Consulate General of France in Chicago on Friday.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

Jim Butz of Schaumburg receives the French Legion of Honor medal from Consul Graham Paul at the Consulate General of France in Chicago on Friday.

George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Schaumburg resident Jim Butz on Friday received the greatest honor France can bestow for his service toward its liberation in World War II. French Consul Graham Paul pinned the rare Legion of Honor medal first established by Napoleon Bonaparte on the lapel of the 88-year-old veteran of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. Paul said Butz's receiving of the medal also honored all those American soldiers who made great personal sacrifices for his nation and the world. “More than 65 years ago, they gave their youth to France and the French people.”

Related Content

Schaumburg D-Day veteran to be knighted by the French