French government recognizes Harlingen man for wartime heroism

HARLINGEN — Marcel Albert flew a total of 262 combat missions with three air forces by the end of World War II. Shooting down 23 planes made him the second ace pilot from France in that war.

Each aerial victory earns a military pilot ranking in France, but the term “ace” is reserved for the top five pilots in the military, French Defense Attaché Maj. Gen. Gratien Maire said.

On Thursday, France’s ambassador to the United States flew to Harlingen to personally bestow one of his nation’s highest honors on Albert, now a Harlingen resident.

In a ceremony at Mid Valley Airport in Weslaco, Ambassador Pierre Vimont presented Albert with the medal recognizing him as a Grand Officer in the French Order of the Legion of Honor for his wartime efforts.

“He’s one of our great pilots of World War II,” Vimont said. “Inside the Legion of Honor you start off as a knight, officer, commander and then a grand officer.”

The Legion is the highest order of decoration in France. The ranking of grand officer is second only to grand cross, a recognition more often reserved for French presidents, Vimont said.

Marie Laure Reed, a spokeswoman for the French Consulate in Houston, said that an average of three to five grand officers are recognized yearly but she did not know the total number that have been recognized.

In addition to the award from the French officials, he was presented with a key to the city by Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell, who declared Thursday to be Marcel Albert Day in Harlingen.

“We’re delighted to have Mr. Albert in Harlingen,” Boswell said. “This is a great opportunity to welcome him and honor him in a big way, especially on the day after Veterans Day.”

The 92-year-old said he felt he did not deserve any recognition.

“I feel good but I wonder what I’m doing here,” he said. “(The war) was too long ago.”

“I don’t think I deserve anything,” he said. “Everybody is nice; the war is over.”

His rise in military aviation began with a French campaign in May 1940 when he shot down two German planes in the same day, according to information from the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.

After the defeat of France by Nazi Germany in 1940, the Vichy French government stationed Albert’s squadron in North Africa, where it battled with the Royal Air Force. Rather than fight for the Nazi-collaborating Vichy government, Albert and two other pilots flew to British-controlled Gibraltar and surrendered their planes.

He was jailed but later released and joined the British Royal Air Force, with whom he flew 47 missions. In late 1942, Albert left for Russia with 13 pilots and 50 mechanics. He fought with the Normandy Regiment and was soon leading his squadron.

“The Normandy men are a legend in France,” Vimont said. “Those pilots were extraordinary. Working with their Russian counterparts, they made history in two or three years. They fought all alone with German aircraft.”

Albert was awarded the former Soviet Union’s highest award for valor, and became a Hero of the Soviet Union.

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Gabriel Saldaña is a reporter for the Valley Morning Star in Harlingen.