France to honor Belpre veteran for service in World War II
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BELPRE -- A Belpre man who fought across Europe in World War II will be honored by the nation of France for his service, his family said.
Roy Sees of Belpre, who is 102 years old, will receive the Legion of Honor denoting his service in the U.S. Army at a ceremony at noon June 2 at the Belpre Masonic Lodge, stepdaughter Linda Boso said.
The Legion of Honor, created in 1802 by Napoleon, is the highest French award for honor and is designated in five titles, the Chevalier, the Officier, the Commandeur, the Grand Officier and the Grand Croix. Among other residents of the area who received the medal were Walter Criss, Holly D. Eagle, Denver Gandee, Randall Hunter and Clement Dowler.
"I kind of feel very honored and humbled to receive the medal," Sees, who will turn 103 on Nov. 15, said. "But the real heroes were those who didn't make it back."
Sees enlisted in 1943 and was assigned to the 66th Infantry Division, but was transferred to the Army Air Corps in May 1943. From the Air Corps, Sees was sent to the 100th Infantry Division because of a lack of infantry.
He went into combat in October 1944 in France.
"I didn't know what to expect. I was just a farm boy," he said. "I didn't know what was going to happen. I just accepted it. I was excited about it."
His experiences in the service included the Battle of the Bulge, the attack on the Germans and the recovery of Bitche in France and the battle for Lemburg, France.
"I was trained to be a soldier, and soldiers are trained to kill the enemy. I am no hero. The real heroes are laying in cemeteries or at the bottom of the ocean all over the world. May God bless them all. They are the real heroes," he said.
Sees received the Bronze Star for heroism and a Purple Heart for injuries in combat.
He moved to Tucson, Ariz., where he raised his family after the war. Sees went to electrical school.
He retired in 1984 and returned to Belpre.
Sees, who wanted to serve in the Air Corps, has been a licensed pilot through most of his life. He was active in the Blennerhassett radio control club where he flew his own model airplanes and was the first lifetime member of the club.
He still maintains his yard and garden and cares for his little poodle Cindy. His daughter, Kim, lives with him in Belpre.
Sees' message for youth is to remain in school and get all the education possible.
"Go to school," he said. "The more you know, the better off you're going to be."
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com