The 'Frenchies' of World War II: Cajun Louisianan war hero shares his story
Among the Americans drafted in 1943 to defeat the Nazis in Europe were young Cajuns from Louisiana, who spoke French as their native language. At the time, society tended to view the Cajun French language as a handicap, and the people who spoke it as second-class citizens. All of that changed after D-Day, when where the Cajuns' French-speaking abilities proved invaluable to military operations in Europe and North Africa. They often served as interpreters for the officers and were nicknamed the "Frenchies". Our correspondent Fanny Allard met one of the last surviving Cajun World War II veterans in Louisiana.
Among the Americans drafted in 1943 to defeat the Nazis in Europe were young Cajuns from Louisiana, who spoke French as their native language. At the time, society tended to view the Cajun French language as a handicap, and the people who spoke it as second-class citizens. All of that changed after D-Day, when where the Cajuns' French-speaking abilities proved invaluable to military operations in Europe and North Africa. They often served as interpreters for the officers and were nicknamed the "Frenchies". Our correspondent Fanny Allard met one of the last surviving Cajun World War II veterans in Louisiana.
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