Leggio “Lee” Sassi’s army profession began off as a precocious teenager, mendacity about his age to enter the Army. Virtually 90 years later, he acquired France’s most prestigious service award.
Sassi, 103, was given the French Legion of Honor – much like the U.S. Medal of Honor – throughout a particular occasion final week in Ellicott Metropolis, Maryland, in line with Army.mil.
Sassi lied about his age to affix the Army in 1938 on the tender age of 15. After finishing a two-year contract, he prolonged his service to assist practice troopers at Fort Meade, Maryland. He acquired an honorable discharge in 1941 however returned to the Army in 1942 after the U.S. entered World Warfare II.
Caroline Monvoisin, France’s normal consul, introduced the medal, established by Napoleon Bonaparte, to Sassi and his household. The medal included a signed certificates from France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
The ceremony was held at VFW Publish No. 7472 with Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Moore from Fort Meade delivering the keynote handle. Moore mentioned Sassi confirmed resolve and dedication whereas main troops in key operations through the struggle, together with the Battle of the Bulge within the winter of 1944-45.
“America’s little children have been outnumbered, out-trained, and out-equipped because the American Revolution,” mentioned Moore. “However what now we have had, and proceed to have, is one thing no different nation has — that’s the finest leaders a rustic might ever ask for.”
First Style of Service
Why did Sassi fib on his software and be a part of the Army at 15, with America nonetheless three years away from World Warfare II?
Seems, younger Sassi wasn’t loopy about life in his hometown of Star Junction, Pennsylvania, a coal-mining hamlet. He didn’t need to spend years within the mines after highschool and yearned for one thing greater.
After he handed fundamental coaching, he was despatched to Hawaii for 2 years, most likely considering army life wouldn’t be too dangerous. In 1940, he was reassigned to Fort Meade, figuring his time within the Army would quickly finish. Nonetheless, he was enticed into extending his service for a 12 months to coach personnel.
He left the service in 1941 with a stable army resume, however when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, he knew he needed to reenlist.
Known as to Motion in Well-known Battle
Sassi frolicked in England in 1944 earlier than his unit relocated to France.
He served underneath the sixth Armored Division within the forty fourth Armored Infantry Battalion, marching 230 miles by means of France to achieve the Siegfried Line, separating France and Germany in October 1944.
In December, the sixth Armored Division was despatched to Bastogne, Belgium, to help a unit pinned down by enemy forces. It grew to become often known as the Battle of the Bulge, one of many bloodiest in World Warfare II historical past. Sassi’s battalion pushed out German troops south of Bastogne, and regardless of brutal winter circumstances and a strong counterattack, the unit was praised for its “fierce preventing and indomitable spirit of the Allies.”
To Germany and Liberation
Victory proved pricey within the Battle of the Bulge, however Allied forces broke the stalemate and reached Germany within the spring of 1945.
What Stassi and his unit would uncover on April 11 was straight out of a horror film – the Buchenwald Focus Camp.
“We aided some 21,000 of Germany’s so-called ‘undesirables’,” Sassi mentioned.
Sassi suffered shrapnel wounds days later close to Zeitz, Germany, and was transported to England earlier than flying again to the U.S. to recuperate in a Washington, D.C. hospital.
The Army veteran acquired an honorable discharge on Oct. 31, 1945, however nonetheless yearned for extra service time. He signed up once more on Nov. 1.
His closing deployment was in occupied Japan and Korea. Afterwards, he returned to Fort Meade for a well-recognized task, coaching troops underneath President Harry Truman’s Honor Guard. Sassi acquired his final discharge in the summertime of 1948.
Humble Soldier, Devoted Household Man
Sassi stored busy after the army however all the time tried to carve out time for household … and a bit of baseball.
“The neighbors’ boys used to knock on the door and ask if Dad might come out to play,” mentioned Sassi’s daughter, Gail Conway.
Quiet and humble, Sassi doesn’t speak a lot about his struggle experiences. Following the service, he poured his power right into a job at Westinghouse, together with elevating his two daughters along with his late spouse Iris. He now has 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Together with the Legion of Honor, the 103-year-old additionally acquired a number of state and native citations, together with a proclamation declaring Nov. 28, 2025, “Lee Sassi Day” in Howard County, Maryland.
Story Continues
