New Salem resident William Rostich was only 18 years old when he enlisted in the Navy, having just graduated from Uniontown Area High School.
He became part of the Seabees 111th U.S. Naval Construction Battalion. One year later, on June 7 of 1944, Rostich, now 96, was operating a pontoon boat with supplies headed to the beaches of Normandy in France during the largest amphibious military operation in history: the Battle of Normandy.
This month, Rostich was sent the highest French decoration for his service during that time: the French Legion of Honor. The medal is divided into degrees, of which Rostich is a Chevalier, or knight.