Wasselonne to Honor Local Hero Joseph Horny, a Veteran of D-Day Landings
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Wasselonne, France – The French alliance of Wasselonne will host a conference on Friday, October 24th, dedicated to the life adn service of joseph Horny, a local sailor and a key participant in the Normandy landings. The event, to be held at 8 p.m. in the provost hall, courtyard of the Château in Wasselonne, is free and open to the public.
From Wasselonne to the Global Seas
Joseph Horny was born in Wasselonne in 1908. At the age of 19, he joined the French Navy and spent years traveling the world’s oceans. He later settled in Marmoutier in 1931 after marrying a local woman.
Joining the Free French Forces
Horny’s commitment to France was further demonstrated in July 1940, when he was among the first to answer General de Gaulle’s call to join the Free French Forces, just a month after the historic June 18th appeal.
A Commando on D-Day
As a member of Commander kieffer’s commando unit, Horny participated in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, earning him the designation as one of the “Frenchmen of D-Day.” He fought in intense battles for three months following the initial landings.
Liberating Access to Antwerp
In November 1944, Horny’s unit landed in the Netherlands, playing a crucial role in securing access to the port of Antwerp for Allied ships. He was wounded in action on November 4, 1944. Joseph horny passed away in 1972 at the age of 65 and is buried in the municipal cemetery in Marmoutier.
The conference will feature Bertrand Martin, a retired professor of history and geography and a member of the French Souvenir committee of Marmoutier, who will discuss Horny’s life and contributions.
Friday October 24, 8 p.m., provost hall, courtyard of the Château in Wasselonne. Free entry, tray.
I hope you found this story about a remarkable local hero as inspiring as I did! if you enjoyed learning about Joseph Horny and the events in Wasselonne, please share this article with your friends and family. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to world Today News for more stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
