Ill. veteran to receive French honor

STREATOR, Ill. (AP) — Joseph Panno has been long-recognized as a soldier who fought his way through France during World War II.

But a new honor will soon come the Streator resident's way.

According to The Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington, (http://bit.ly/ZzkYG2 ) Panno will receive the French Legion of Honor on March 20.

The French government awards the medal to soldiers who saw combat against Nazi Germany's troops.

The 92-year-old Panno was a U.S. Army machine-gunner in 1944 and '45 in France, Belgium and Germany, earning the Bronze star and combat infantry badge.

Panno recently learned he was eligible for the French honor, so he applied and will soon be decorated.