Help us help vets with an individual contribution in your community. The best way to impact the vets around you is with hands-on assistance through your business, a veteran service organization, and in your community. You can also help our emergency aid initiative with a donation to the Military Family Assistance Fund.
The Louisiana Department of Veterans (LDVA) has a myriad of Veterans with incredible stories from their days in the military living at its’ Veterans homes.
Yesterday, at our Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home (SWLVH), Army Private First Class Amadia Broussard was presented with the highest French meritorious military award for his actions during World War II.
Vincent Sciama, Consul general of France, bestowed the National Order of the Legion to Broussard, who was surrounded by friends and family, at LDVA’s Jennings, La., home.
Sciama presented the National Order of the Legion of Honor to Broussard. This is the highest French meritorious military award, and was established in the 19th century by Napoléon Bonaparte. It is awarded for excellent military conduct, and delivered upon an official investigation.
Broussard enlisted in the United States Army in November of 1942. He completed his basic training at the ‘hastily constructed’ Camp Adair in Oregon. The book, Camp Adair: The Story of a World War II Cantonment tells how it served as a training camp for soldiers during World War II. This detailed history of the cantonment recalls not only the place but the trainees, like Broussard, who would soon be thrust into combat.
On Aug. 27, 1944, he was deployed to Europe. During the next 10 months, Private Broussard served in battles and campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe as a member of Company G, 415th Infantry Regiment.
His daughter, Faye Adams, says her father did not share much about his time in service. It wasn’t until her two Army sons returned from their deployments in Iraq that he opened up a bit about his own experiences.
She recalls a poignant story he shared about being in a cabbage filed while fighting in Holland. Broussard lost sight of his friend right before a bomb went off and a cabbage landed in his lap. He recalls laughing after he realized it was not his friend’s head.
On Nov. 4, 1944, Broussard was wounded during additional combat in Holland, and received the Purple Heart. He also earned the following awards and decorations: Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Throughout his service, the investigation determined, Broussard “remained consistent, dependable and accurately carried out all responsibilities assigned him to a successful conclusion.”
His daughter says although her dad was drafted, he never questioned it. He served proudly because “his country needed him.”
Broussard was honorably discharged from the Army on Nov. 8 1945.
And seventy years later, the French came to his hometown to thank him for his bravery and the role he played in the Liberation of Paris.
As George S. Patton Jr. once said, “The Soldier is the Army. No Army is better than its Soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”
Broussard is the epitome of the Citizen-Soldier. We are honored to be able to care for him at our SWLVH.
