Atholton High School: JROTC honors WWII veteran at French Legion of Honor ceremony

Army JROTC Cadets pose with retired 1st Sgt. Leggio J. Sassi, a French WWII veteran. (Photo by Juan Gordiano, Army Instructor)

Written by Cadet Reagan Law

On Nov. 28, the Atholton High School JROTC Color Guard presented American and French flags in honor of retired 1st Sgt. Leggio J. Sassi. He served in the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion and was in the 6th Armored Division. He was awarded the highest French medal of honor, Ordre National De La Legion D’honneur.

Despite the march of time, the award is still the highest distinction that can be bestowed upon a person who has accomplished great deeds for France. Sir Sassi is now considered a Knight Of France. At the current age of 103 years old, Sir Sassi was presented the medal at VFW Post 7472 of Ellicott City Maryland by Caroline Monvoisin, Consul General of France in Washington D.C.

Amongst his accomplishments during WWII, Sir Sassi marched across France during the Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland Campaigns, then continued into Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, and then into Germany itself. Following the end of WWII, Lee reenlisted, serving occupation duty in Japan and Korea, and then back again at Fort Meade, Maryland; a remarkable legacy of service to every liberty loving person.

Cadet Mackenzie Slusher said, “It was a once and a lifetime experience to meet a 103 year old Knight who served in WWII.”

Cadet Slusher was accompanied by Cadets Savannah Knaup, Adam Shah, Evelin Loza-Torres, and Jerold Ladinsky.

Sir Sassi was also awarded Federal Citations, State Citations, Governor Citations, and a Proclamation from Howard County. This was an amazing opportunity for the battalion to support such an honorable veteran who served over 10 years of military service to our nation.