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The French government has honored Morris Metz ’50 for his heroic role in the liberation of France in World War II. The “Thank you America” campaign awards a French letter of commendation to those veterans who served in France in 1944 and 1945.
Metz believes that France’s recognition of the service of American veterans in its country is an important continuation of the relationship between the two countries, a history which includes the recent granting of honorary U.S. citizenship on the Marquis de Lafayette for his help in the American Revolutionary War.
“We’ve been called the greatest generation,” says Metz. “In my opinion, our memorial is a legacy — we did a job that had to be done, and came home and raised our families, and didn’t talk about it.”
Metz stresses the importance of education and remembrance of WWII and its veterans. He and other local veterans are involved in educational programs with area schools.
“September 11 was another Pearl Harbor, which was our awakening call,” he says. “Students can relate to the initial impact that Pearl Harbor had on us through how they were affected by the September 11 attacks,” he says.
Metz and his unit — 3rd Battalion, 301st Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division — were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation in 1998 for their role in winning the Battle of the Bulge.
A psychology graduate, Metz enrolled at Lafayette after the war. He served on the Forks Township Board of Supervisors and on the planning committee between the College and Forks Township. His son, Douglas Metz, graduated from Lafayette in 1979. Metz is a member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He also serves as editor of the Forks Township newsletter.
For more information on the French government’s “Thank You America” campaign, see http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2000/ww2/apply.asp .