By DONNA THORNTON | The Gadsden Times | Published: May 23, 2021 GADSDEN, Ala. (Tribune News Service) Decades have passed since Allied forces strived for the liberation of France from the Nazis during World War II, but the French government, it seems, has not forgotten those who fought for their country. One of those was Gadsden s E.D. Witherspoon, and this month the Consulate General of France in Atlanta awarded the World War II veteran France s highest order of merit, the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor is bestowed upon French citizens as well as foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds. That includes individuals who have contributed to the country professionally, as well as veterans such as Americans who risked their lives during World War II fighting on French soil.