San Francisco resident Odette Le Pendu has been decorated many times for her work with the French Resistance during WWII. On July 10, 2013, she was named Officer in the Legion of Honor, an elevation of her existing commendation, in a ceremony I was honored to attend.
Odette was born here in San Francisco to French parents, gaining dual citizenship. Her family returned to France and was unable to leave when Hitler invaded in 1940. Eighteen-year-old Odette joined the Resistance, at great risk to her parents and herself.
"There was no question," she said. "It had to be done."
Her command of French and English made her invaluable translating and transmitting radio messages. She was arrested and imprisoned by the Germans, until Swiss authorities intervened, pointing to her American citizenship. With the end of the war in sight, the Germans released her. She went right back to work for the Resistance.
She works now honoring American veterans of WWII. It is a pleasure to know Odette and to share a little French wine with her, now and then.
Odette was born here in San Francisco to French parents, gaining dual citizenship. Her family returned to France and was unable to leave when Hitler invaded in 1940. Eighteen-year-old Odette joined the Resistance, at great risk to her parents and herself.
"There was no question," she said. "It had to be done."
Her command of French and English made her invaluable translating and transmitting radio messages. She was arrested and imprisoned by the Germans, until Swiss authorities intervened, pointing to her American citizenship. With the end of the war in sight, the Germans released her. She went right back to work for the Resistance.
She works now honoring American veterans of WWII. It is a pleasure to know Odette and to share a little French wine with her, now and then.
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