In early April, World War II veteran and La Mesa local, Technician 4th Grade Clayton B. Baum, U.S. Army, 99, was awarded the Government of France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor in the rank of Knight.

This award was created by Napoleon Bonaparte more than 220 years ago and is the highest honor France bestows on citizens and foreign nationals. Baum was a part of the brave troops who fought and defended the liberation of France and is recognized for his pivotal role in French American history.

The ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 282 in the presence of Julie Duhaut-Bedos (pictured above with Clayton Baum), Consul General of France in Los Angeles.

“It is the highest and most prestigious French award a person can receive,” Duhaut-Bedos, said. “Mr. Clayton Baum, France has not forgotten the American young men like you who demonstrated their selfless, generosity and unwavering bravery while under fire by the enemy.”

During his acceptance speech, Baum asked, “Am I worthy of this? It’s something I didn’t think I deserve because there’s more of those we left there in the hallowed grounds.”

With this honor, Baum has joined the ranks of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Douglas MacArthur, General George Patton and others. Furthermore, only 200 Americans have received this award, according to the Counsel General of France in Los Angeles.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in June 1923, Baum was drafted into the U.S. Army after spending one semester at Kent State University in 1943. He separately completed his Basic and Advanced Training in Vancouver, Washington and Camp Sutton, North Carolina. As an Arms Instructor, Baum deployed to England in Oct. 1943. He then landed at Utah Beach in Normandy, France in June 1944. Here, he served with the Service Battery of the 268th Field Artillery Battalion. 

Army campaigns recognize a specific action or sequence of actions that involve combat. These have historical and military importance to both the Army and the Nation, according to the U.S. Army Center of Military History. Baum’s campaigns include Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.

Among Baum’s significant decorations are the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal with four battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. The U.S. Army Human Resources explains that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity in active Federal military service.

Baum was discharged from the Army in Dec. 1945 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. After World War II, Baum attended Hiram College part-time and worked with his father in Ohio’s grocery industry. Baum then moved to California in 1947 and had careers in grocery, real estate and advertising businesses. He joined Sunshine Biscuit Company as a sales manager for 12 years prior to joining the industrial paper profession before retiring in 1987.

After proposing on Valentine’s Day, Baum married his wife Eleanor in August 1946. They had a long and happy marriage of 74 years until her passing in Jan. 2021. Together, they have three children — their son Douglas, who was Killed in Action in Vietnam, son Ronald and daughter Sandra. Baum also has eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Many of his family members were present at the American Legion Post 282 to celebrate his honor.

When reflecting on his approaching 100th birthday and marriage Baum said, “I miss my wife. I miss her a lot.”

During his retirement, Baum volunteered with the La Mesa Police Department. He has also dedicated around 8,000 hours to their Retired Senior Volunteer Program. The City of La Mesa explains that “these active seniors donate their time to patrol the city, conduct vacation security checks, visit elderly and home-bound citizens and provide information and services to the public at the La Mesa Police Department headquarters.”

Baum went back to France in 2019, where he was sponsored by the World War II Museum. This trip commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day, known as the largest invasion force in history which brought together land, air and sea forces of the allied armies.

For those interested in serving their country, Baum had one piece of advice.

“In the first place, you have to want to. If you love your country, your family and you love God, those are the three things you need.”

(Photo courtesy of losangeles.consulfrance.org/)