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| World War II Vets Receive “Jubilee Medal of Liberty”: Medal honors those who fought in Normandy |
May 31, 2000 |
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Five Albuquerque men were part of the Normandy campaign in 1944, the decisive Allied campaign of World War II that foreshadowed the end of Hitler’s dream of Nazi domination. On Memorial Day, Congresswoman Heather Wilson decorated four of them with the “Jubilee Medal of Liberty” for their actions and sacrifices while in uniform, and honored the fifth posthumously by presenting his family with the medal.
Jose Llamas, Donald Martin, Gilberto Gallegos, and Polo Garcia--each now living in Albuquerque--served on French soil during the Normandy campaign. So did Frank Romero, who has since passed away. His daughter, Betty Wenzel of Albuquerque, accepted the medal on her father`s behalf.
The “Normandy Medal,” officially known as the “Jubilee Medal of Liberty,” is a medal to honor and to remember those who fought on the Normandy Beach.
Jose Llamas, a sheet metal worker who worked on allied aircraft in France, says receiving this medal was a difficult thing for him to do. “I’m kind of excited, but I feel sad in a way. I lost a brother over there,” he says as he chokes back tears. “And that’s what keeps coming back to me. I was there when he was there, and I came home, but he didn’t. I think more about him than anybody else. I get a little bit sentimental about that. My brother would be proud. He’d be very proud.”
“While we may never erase the memories of the Normandy battlefield or beaches, we can remember the valiant Americans who risked so much,” says Wilson, herself an Air Force veteran and the first female veteran to ever serve in Congress. “Allied forces suffered 9,758 casualties and 6,603 Americans died in the Normandy invasion. I’m proud that on this Memorial Day we can honor these five New Mexicans who proudly served their country and helped restore freedom to a continent so many years ago.”
The medals presented today were identical to the Jubilee of Liberty medals presented to about 35,000 veterans who returned to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Following that presentation, the Battle of Normandy Foundation decided that the remaining medals could be presented to living veterans at appropriate ceremonies.
The medals were minted at the direction of the Regional Counsel and the Governor of Normandy as a tribute to the men and women who fought there. They bear an outline of Normandy, bordered by the flags of the allied nations. On the reverse side is the Torch of Freedom and an inscription that says “Diex Aie,” or “God is with us.”
Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty Recipients
May 29, 2000
1. Jose Llamas: United States Army Private 1st Class 877Air Engineer Squadron 9th Air Force. Jose was a Airplane Sheet Metal Worker with the 9th Air Force through the Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. Member of Post 13
2. Frank Romero: United States Army Private 1st Class. Now deceased. He served in Normandy, Northern France. His daughter, Betty Wenzel, will accept on his behalf. His son-in-law, George Wenzel, is a Vietnam Vet and started the application process on his behalf.
3. Donald J. Martin: Served in the armed services for 33 years total. He served in the United States Army as a Private 1st Class in Normandy. He was inducted into the Army in 1943 in Iowa. He served in 5 campaigns during World War II and was awarded a bronze star for each campaign.
4. Gilberto Gallegos: United States Army Private 1st Class. He served in Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Adrennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns. His daughter, Annabelle Gallegos, started the application process for him to receive the Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty.
5. Polo Garcia : United States Army Private 1st Class. He is a Native New Mexican who entered the Army in Gallup in 1942. He was scheduled to land on Normandy on June 6 but due the numbers of soldiers on the ground, his battalion was held back until June 7. He was awarded a bronze star and a good conduct medal for his service. |
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