France Commemorates 'The Other D-Day'

[Rose Siding]

DRAGUIGNAN, France -- France opened a weekend tribute Saturday to the American, French and African soldiers who helped liberate its land from Nazi Germany's grip in one of the least-remembered military operations of World War II: the Allied invasion of the Riviera.

On the eve of a ceremony involving heads of state from 15 nations and representatives from six other countries -- mainly former African colonies -- France thanked British and American veterans of Operation Dragoon for their role in what is called "the other D-Day."
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Nine British paratroopers and nine American soldiers, among more than 350,000 troops who stormed ashore Aug. 15, 1944, received the Legion of Honor, France's highest award, in separate ceremonies Saturday.

"France knows what it owes to the heroes of America who liberated us 60 years ago," Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said as she pinned the chests of the American vets in a ceremony at the U.S. military cemetery in Draguignan and kissed each of the nine on both cheeks.

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