Embajador de Francia en el Perú condecoró con la Orden de la “Legión de honor” en el grado de caballero, al veterano peruano Sr. Jorge Sanjinez como muestra de agradecimiento de la República francesa “por su coraje, su entrega y su trayectoria ejemplar” durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Peruvian Jorge Sanjinez has been honored for his courageous service as part of the Piron Brigade during World War II. Decoration was bestowed on Wednesday morning by French Ambassador to Peru Fabrice Mauriès.
“France thanks Mr. Sanjinez for his courage, dedication, and exemplary achievements,” the diplomat said after noting the combat veteran has joined a select Peruvian group of Legion of Honor recipients.
In 2014, France marked the 70th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi rule and paid tribute to its liberators, including members of the Piron Brigade, the 1st Belgium Independent Group, who were decorated in 2015.
Nevertheless, Jorge Sanjinez, who turned 100 in January, was not able to attend the ceremony. For that reason, Mr. Mauriès flew to the Eastern city of Pucallpa, where he resides, to convey the award.
In 1942, Sanjinez heard of foreign volunteers taking up arms for the Second World War in Europe, so he decided to join the group.
He underwent military training in Canada before joining the Piron Brigade, which landed in Normandy on the 8th of August 1944.
The brigade liberated various French cities and towns during the Normandy landings.
The ceremony took place at Pucallpa's main square in the presence of Peru's Deputy Minister for Defense Policy Librado Orozco, Peruvian Army Commanding General Luis Humberto Ramos and Ucayali Governor Manuel Gambini, among other authorities.
(END) JCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 2/22/2017