Emeritus professor recognized for his part in the August 15, 1944 invasion of southern France
AUSTIN, Texas — On August 15 in a ceremony held in the American Cemetery
in Draguignan, France, Leon Lebowitz, UT-Austin School of Law's Joseph Hutcheson
Professor Emeritus in Law, received France's Legion of Honor medal sixty years
after he, and the U.S. 3rd Infantry division, invaded southern France to provide
support to troops already in Normandy. He, and ten others, were honored by the
French government with the Legion of Honor, France's highest award given for
outstanding service to France. It is widely considered one of Europe's most
prestigious civic honors.
Lebowtiz, 82, served in the U.S. 3rd Infantry division. His company stormed
the shore and fought from house to house in urban warfare in the Rhone valley
and Colmar, France. Three of his group died while crossing a field of land mines.
He later entered Germany and participated in the takeover of Munich, prior to
his discharge from the army in December 1945.
This report was compiled with the assistance of the Austin American-Statesman's
August 14, 2004 report, "A Hero in France" by Rachel Makabi.
Related Links:
Excerpts from Leon Lebowitz's Journal: http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/08/14honoronline.html