AWARD: It’s always nice to find an impressive accolade for a local person when looking through Era archives.

And when it comes from heroic actions during World War II, it’s even better.

On Aug. 6, 1945, The Era ran a small story on Capt. Frederick D. Kime, USN, of Park Avenue, Kane, who was awarded the Croix de Guerre with star by the French Government. The award was announced by the 11th Naval District.

“Then-Commander Kime was on the staff of Adm. Alan G. Kirk when the latter commanded naval forces during the invasion of the French coast last year. He now is commanding officer of the amphibious training base, Oceanside, Calif.”

Kime, who attained the rank of rear admiral, was also awarded a Legion of Merit medal for his actions during World War II.

According to the citation, “The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Frederick D. Kime, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as force communications officer of the Western Naval Task Force during the amphibious landing in Normandy in June 1944. Commander Kime coordinated all communication activities so that all commanders were able to communicate with the echelons above and below them. He contributed immeasurably to the success of the amphibious landing and the Normandy campaign.”

The Legion of Merit is the seventh highest U.S. military decoration. The Croix de Guerre is comparable to the Bronze Star or Silver Star in U.S. military decoration.

Kime passed away in Philadelphia in 1961 and is buried in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis.