Overbrook World War II veteran receives Legion of Honor award from France
The medal was pinned close to Cyril Emmerich’s heart.
It was appropriate. The 97-year-old World War II veteran loves his country.
Emmerich, of Overbrook was presented with France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour medal on Saturday at Bravo! Italian Kitchen in the Waterfront in Homestead.
“This means a lot to me,” said Emmerich, a U.S. Army veteran.“As a veteran, I wish all veterans could be honored with this medal … from the Army and Navy and Air Force and Marines and Coast Guard. … All of us are the reason we won the war.”
Emmerich believes knowing shorthand allowed him to return from World War II alive.
He left the U.S. for France on D-Day — June 6, 1944. Shortly after he arrived in Normandy on June 17, there was an announcement looking for any soldier who knew shorthand, a method of rapid writing using abbreviations and symbols.
He had taken a class at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School in Oakland. He told the Tribune-Review previously that he believed that knowing shorthand saved his life.
He said he chose the Army, over the Navy or what was then the Army Air Corps, because he wasn’t “keen on water” and “I thought I had a better chance staying on the ground.”
He was first assigned the stenographer position. Emmerich then advanced to work for the Inspector General’s Office, which investigated reports of officers mistreating soldiers.
Emmerich would record proceedings, similar to a court reporter. He was part of a group that would follow behind the troops who were fighting.
World War II was the largest and deadliest armed conflict — 15 million people died and 25 million were wounded.
The Legion of Honour is the French government’s highest decoration — both military and civil. It was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Honorary Consul of France, Jean-Dominique Le Garrec, presented Emmerich with the award Saturday. He said France is grateful the U.S. helped the liberation of France from Nazi Germany.
France in recent years has made a concerted effort to recognize and thank veterans who served with the Allied forces.
“This is a way to say thank you,” Le Garrec said.
There is a ceremony in Washington, D.C. every year. If veterans aren’t able to travel, Le Garrec and others like him will bring the medal to the veteran.
“We want to honor as many World War II veterans as we can,” said Le Garrec, who has been based in Pittsburgh since 2009. “Time is running out.”
According to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 240,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were alive in 2021. Of those, just under 13,900 lived in Pennsylvania.
“I am so honored to be here,” said Marlon Ferguson, southwestern Pennsylvania regional director for Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. who presented a message to Emmerich. “I have read about Cyril and … wow … this is wonderful what he has done for his country.”
Casey wrote: “I wish to extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to you for serving our Nation and the United States Army. In recognition of your valiant efforts in the Liberation of France during World War II, the French Republic has awarded you the highest French distinction, the Legion of Honour.
“Please accept my best wishes and congratulations on this well-deserved honor. On behalf of a grateful citizenry, thank you again for serving your country with dignity and distinction.”
“I feel proud he is being recognized for his part in the conflict,” said Karen Emmerich-Bender, his daughter. “And I also am proud he recognized the sacrifices of what others did, too. He talks about that a lot.”
Kathy Emmerich said her father, and mother, instilled values of faith, love, family and work ethic.
“They showed us what was important in life,” she said. “They always put us first. For all of the things he saw in the war, he definitely deserves this honor. And he will be talking about this forever.”
Frank J. Steck, from Smock, works with veterans and helps get the word out about veterans and connects them with the resources to receive such as an honor. Steck contacted Emmerich’s family after he read an article about his service.
“Cyril and veterans like him are definitely from the Greatest Generation,” Steck said. “I enjoy meeting them and talking to them. I have total respect for all veterans. I am so proud of Cyril and his fellow veterans. They are my heroes.”
Emmerich’s brother-in-law, John Haag, came in from Philadelphia for the celebration.
“This means a great deal to him,” Haag said. “He is so happy to be here with his family and friends. He is a remarkable person.”
Surrounded by 30 people, family and friends, Emmerich enjoyed an Italian meal and cake for dessert.
He was so excited for this day, said daughter Maureen Emmerich-Yvorra. “We are so grateful for him to be recognized.”
Emmerich is one of six boys born to Cyril Urban Emmerich and Ethel Clare Murrin Emmerich. Cyril and his brother, Norman, served in France, and Harry was in the Pacific. Rege served in the Korean War. Another died as a toddler, and the other was not in the military.
The family grew up in Homewood.
When Emmerich returned from the war, he studied at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh on the G.I. Bill and earned a business degree. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for more than three decades, advancing to become a supervisor.
Emmerich met his wife, Marie, on a blind date. They had five children — Karen Emmerich-Bender of the North Side, Kathy Emmerich of Baldwin, Kenny Emmerich of Overbrook, Maureen Emmerich Yvorra of Jefferson Hills and Denise Sauter of Whitehall.
They were married almost 52 years. Marie died April 29, 2005.
Kenny Emmerich said the award means so much to his dad. He has been talking about it ever since he heard he was going to get it.
“He was lucky he knew shorthand, because he might not have lived and I wouldn’t be here,” Kenny Emmerich said. “He always thanks God that he made it out alive, because many from his platoon didn’t survive.”
Sauter said this is a wonderful honor for her father who is an amazing man.
“I am so proud of him,” she said through tears.
“We are thankful to Cyril and his comrades,” Le Garre said. “It is my privilege to present this medal to Cyril,” he said as he attached the medal to Emmerich’s sweater.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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