D-Day veteran, longtime Leelanau resident, to receive French Legion of Honor
From staff reports
The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City has announced that longtime Leelanau County resident Dick Grout, who is 103 years old, will be presented with the French Legion of Honor by Yannick Tagand, the Consul General of France in Chicago, in a private ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Kirkbride Hall in the Grand Traverse Commons.
Grout took part in the Allies’ D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944—the seminal battle on the Western Front during the Second World War. He was earlier awarded both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.
The Legion of Honor is the highest distinction that France can bestow upon those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor recognizes eminent service to the French Republic. Recipients of this honor are named by decree signed by the President of the French Republic.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny. Grout was one of the first to land on Omaha beach in Normandy, France. Grout was an Army first lieutenant platoon commander in Company B, 112th Engineer Combat Battalion with the 29th U.S. Infantry Division. Despite the chaos and heavy resistance from entrenched German troops, Grout led his platoon in opening up an entrance from the beach, creating a small corridor that allowed U.S. troops to fight the Germans above. As that first day ended, Grout discovered many officers and men from his battalion died or were missing. He recalls that he had no time for fear but was always motivated to lead and protect his troops.
Grout said little about his experiences for nearly five decades. At the age of 82, he returned to Normandy with a group of veterans and was able to finally walk the beach that he had fought his way across and to visit the graves of so many of his fallen friends. Ever reluctant to be singled out for his heroism and acts of bravery, Grout will accept this high honor from France on behalf of all of his fellow soldiers.
Grout participated in the 2018 “Soaring Valor” trip to New Orleans organized and sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation. The IAF interviewed him on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II; this video features him talking about his experience.
