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France honors Franklin WWII veteran, first U.S. soldier to die in Nazi-occupied Europe
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FRANKLIN, La. (KLFY)-- France honored a World War II veteran from Franklin.
Army Ranger 2nd Lt. Edward V. Loustalot was the first American soldier to die in Nazi-occupied Europe during WWII. France and Franklin held a joint ceremony Monday to honor the Franklin-native on the anniversary of his death, Aug. 19, 1942.
"Being a native son of Franklin, Louisiana, this was one of the things that we felt was the right and justified to do," said Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard.
Loustalot led Operation Jubilee, or the Dieppe Raid of Aug. 19, 1942. Although the raid was unsuccessful, it gave the U.S. and Allied Forces a blueprint for the invasion of the beaches of Normandy on D. Day.
"That's the reason why they won, so his sacrifice was definitely not in vain, but he gave his life to freedom," said Ed Tiger Verdin, Franklin's Public Relations Director. "And the French government, the French people will never forget that."
France and Franklin honored Loustalot with a wreath laying and flag raising ceremony on the 82nd anniversary of his death.
The people of Dieppe, France, where Loustalot was killed, honored him at the time he died.
Verdin said Nazi soldiers found Loustalot's body two days after his death adorned with flowers by those in Dieppe. Verdin said angered Nazi soldiers buried Loustalot's body in an undisclosed location, but the people of Dieppe found him, dug him up and adorned him with flowers again.
Verdin said Franklin and France plan to honor Loustalot every year.
"They are just so appreciative of the sacrifices that came, not only out of the United States, but Louisiana, and particularly because they felt kinship with South Louisiana," Verdin said. "So having one of our own, and one of their own, unfortunately, give his life in the name of freedom, that's something that they will never forget."