For almost 40 years, as an autodidact, I studied meticulously the American Battlefields and their history around Chateau Thierry and hiking through all of them. I bought thousand of books mostly unit histories and personal account of the men who went through, I did my first battlefield tour in 1997, with an American Citizen whom the Grandfather fought in 3rd US Division near Chateau Thierry during the second battle of the Marne in July 1918, I studied all the participation of his unit and we walked on his foot steeps, it has been a great time for both of us, and also the best way to honor the memory of his Grandad. Also having being walking through Belleau Wood, when I was 10 years old, then visiting it many time, I developed an avid interest for the Marine Corps and their history and battles in France, Belleau Wood being one of the most important and first engagement in the World War I in France for the Corps, I’ve been leading more than 4000 US Marines and few Commandants of the Corps through the battlefield, also a lot of relatives of WW1 Marines and Doughboys including some American prominent families like Theodore Roosevelt descendants, and the son of the President Dwight Eisenhower .On May25, 2008, I’d the honor to be named by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Conway at Belleau, France, as an Honorary Marine for my devoted life to preserve the Marine Corps history, I’m the only one in Europe, and one of the two foreigners to get the prestigious title . Later in June 2010, I got an award from the Marine Corps historical Foundation in Quantico, VA and I’ve been honored to become an Honorary life member of the Marine Corps League Detachment “Belleau Wood”, # 508 from Columbus Ohio. I had be honored too by many Army Divisions and units, like the Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation (42nd ), West Point Academy, New Hampshire National Guard, and others..
In November 2013, I had the privilege to be the Guest Speaker, for the Celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday in Paris, side by side with the Ambassador of United States !
May 25, 2008 The Commandant of the US Marine Corps, General James Conway at Belleau, France Awarded me the Title of Honorary Marine, the only one in Europe
Quantico, June 5, 2010, dedication of the Belleau Wood, display at the National Museum of the US Marine Corps
General George Ronald Christmas US Marine Corps Historical Foundation and General James F Amos , assistant of the Commandant,later 35th Commandant awarding me the Colonel John Magruder price !
Mercy farm near Ourcq River, July , 2001. Dedication of the First plaque , and Memorial to the Rainibow Divison, for the Battle of the Ourcq River, July/August 1918.On my left side is the President of the Rainbow Division Foundation, It has beeen the First Memorial since the World War One dedicated to this Division, in the area, owing my help it was possible to do it ! Sometime later, I became a Life member of the Foundation, we are only few French ( 4) members to be part of the Foundation
