The World War II veteran who served as grand marshal during last year’s Ethnic Expo Parade has been awarded France’s highest order of merit for military and civil service.
Marvin Sabatino, 94, Columbus, learned late this summer he would receive the French Legion of Honor for his service as a medic on D-Day. In a short time, both the medal and certificates arrived in the mail, and a ceremony is being planned in his honor soon.
Although Sabatino worked to transport wounded military personnel away from battle zones to medical facilities on D-Day, Sabatino says he doesn’t feel he’s worthy of the honor. The real heroes are those who made the ultimate sacrifice in battle, he said.
But that’s when Sabatino’s good friend, AMVETS member Rob Derringer, convinced Sabatino to accept the French Legion of Honor on behalf of others like him who miraculously survived – only to returned home and be haunted by the question of why they survived while others did not.
With a bit of dark humor, Sabatino said he finally agreed to accept it because they couldn’t find any more surviving World War II veterans who fought to help France.
“I know I didn’t earn it,” he said. “But I can accept that I inherited it.”
For the complete story and more photos, see Thursday’s Republic.
