A Cape Coral man received the French National Legion of Honor last Wednesday during a ceremony in Tampa for his service as an Army paratrooper during World War II.

Jack Anderson, 86, served in the United States Army from 1942-1945 when he was 18 and 19 years old before he was medically discharged. He said he was involved with the invasion in France, Belgium and Holland.

“I got the Purple Heart twice and I got the Bronze Star and a presidential citation,” he said.

He remembers the time he served as traumatic.

“I had to bail out when my plane was hit sooner than I wanted to get out,” he said of one of his memories.

Eight people were recognized last week for their service by the French Ambassador in front of approximately 60 spectators.

“I appreciate it to no end that I was recognized,” Anderson said about the service. “It was a surprise. I didn’t expect anything after all this time, it was very nice.”

He said he wants to display the medial in his home next to the other recognitions he has received.