France Oklahoma WWII veteran receives France's highest decoration

[JPL]

James “Jake” McNiece, the leader of World War II's “Dirty Dozen,” humbly accepted France's most prestigious decoration, nearly 70 years after he led a squad of paratroopers behind enemy lines in that country to support the D-Day invasion.

McNiece, a retired Ponca City postal worker, commanded a group of rough men nicknamed “The Filthy 13,” who served as the inspiration for the movie “The Dirty Dozen.” Hours before the June 6, 1944, invasion, McNiece led 18 paratroopers to destroy two bridges and control a third to prevent German reinforcements from moving into Normandy and to cut off retreating German troops. Sixteen of his men were killed during the 36-day mission, in which they also cut enemy communications and supply lines.

Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-wwii-veteran-receives-frances-highest-decoration/article/3713442#ixzz27lNK8jH7

Jean-Paul

[Paul R]

I had always wondered if the "Dirty Dozen" story was based upon something real. I am very excited to have read this story. Thank you for posting it.