WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — A 98-year-old Williamsville woman, who served her country during World War II got some well-deserved recognition decades later.
Monday morning, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and French Honorary Consul Pascal Soarès presented First Lieutenant Mildred Speers three U.S. military awards, in addition to the French Chevalier Legion of Honor award.
Speers was born in Lackawanna in 1921, then became a U.S. Army Nurse During WWII, serving in the 96th Evacuation Hospital unit.
She helped to stabilize patients' wounds and prepare them for surgery, all while on the frontlines during five battles, including the Invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe.
Christmas 1944, Speers helped to evacuate a hospital during Battle of the Bulge.
Speers was overcome by Tuesday's honor, saying, "I can't describe it. Just amazing. I didn't expect any of this. I thought everybody forgot me after all these years. But this was a really big surprise."
The French Legion of Honor medal was first established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is the highest decoration bestowed in France created to recognize virtue, honor, and heroism.