By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.-Decorated Vietnam War Veteran Georg Todd will be grand marshal of this year’s Veterans’ Day parade in Paris. The parade will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 11, on East Wood Street.
Todd is the most highly-decorated African-American in Henry County, with 17 medals including the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action against the enemy. He was a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps.
Among his other medals include a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Todd’s unit had come under heavy fire in a firefight on May 7, 1968, and while covering for a mortally wounded tank commander, he mounted the tank and directed machine gun fire at the enemy, while seriously wounded himself.
According to the citation for his Silver Star medal, Todd “unhesitatingly exposed himself to the intense fire and aggressively led his squad in a determined assault upon the enemy, resulting in two hostile soldiers confirmed killed.”
Todd was the speaker at the opening ceremonies for the Vietnam War Memorial Wall, which was in Paris over the Labor Day weekend.
Line-up for the parade starts at Fairgrounds Rd., moves on to East Wood Street, traveling along E. Wood to the Holy Cross Catholic Church.
There still is time for participants to sign up for the parade by calling Ann Smith at 270 293 2705.
The Armistice which ended WWI was signed at 11 a.m. November 11—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin