COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 75 years after he participated in D-Day, the ever-humble Staff Sgt. Lawrence McCauley of Lewis Center received the nation of France's most prestigious order: The Legion of Honor. 

The World War II Army Veteran's tour of duty saw him storm the Beaches of Normandy and fight in the Battle of the Bulge.

The French Consul General to the Midwest says his country is forever indebted to McCauley for his efforts in rescuing French residents from Nazi rule.

“We'll never forget the sacrifice of America's greatest generation. They risked everything for us. They risked everything for our freedom,” says Guillaume Lacroix.

For McCauley, the award was a surprise, and he's ever grateful for the honor.

“Means a great, great deal to me because what I'm here for is not only my personal satisfaction, but I represent all the men who could not be here,” says McCauley.

McCauley and his wife Mary raised eight children including sons Edward and Tom who say their father had only recently opened up about his experiences in battle.

“Interesting now when I look and read the biography, and the things he never told us about when we were kids, and now to realize that he's a hero,” says Edward McCauley.

“My father and I will go out once a week or so and have a beer and a cigar and at that point in time, when he's a little more relaxed, I've been able to ask little bits of questions here and there to find out about his actual war career and where he was and what he did. These guys are dying a thousand a day. And I wanted to make sure he was recognized, not only him but his generation for what they did,” says Tom McCauley.

While Lawrence McCauley never considers himself to be a hero, he appreciates the French Legion of Honor and all the support he's received as a proud member of America's greatest generation.

“I didn't save a whole platoon or anything like that you know. I just was doing everything right—doing everything you're supposed to do,” says McCauley.