[SwinneySwitch]

"The gesture will exceed any public thanks these now-elderly Americans have received from their own government,..."

Thank you, men!

[Cicero]

The CIA started turning sour back then, I think. And in the aftermath, After the Church Committee finished with it, it pretty well lost its way. At least so I understand. We aren't likely to see an impartial history of the CIA anytime soon.

[Thebaddog]

Unfortunately, this appears to be an attempt on the part of France to put a finger in our eye. The fellow approached France after a rebuff on the part of the USA.

On the other hand I've seen History Channel shows about the Earthquake and he was a hell of a character. He lived life large and left on his own terms, IMHO.

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

My hat goes off to these guys. Well-deserved medals.

[7.62 x 51mm]

"The gesture will exceed any public thanks these now-elderly Americans have received from their own government,..."

Thank you for your service, American Patriots. Thank you.

[afnamvet]

"I'm a communist fighter. I was born and raised to be against the communists," he says.

True heros all.

[Last Dakotan]

The CIA argues that the men technically were not government employees since they worked for a CIA front company.

I wish the CIA lotsa luck recruiting for the "front company" strategy in the future.

[10mm]

Covert U.S. aviators to get French award for heroism

The French have an award for heroism?

[SwinneySwitch]

George Gongora/Caller-Times

(Rockport, Texas)Area man flew supplies to Dien Bien Phu outpost

Nelson Duke, who will be honored by the French for helping to supply a French outpost in Indochina, shows a WWII-era photo of himself flying a Navy Corsair fighter.

http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_3554952,00.html