Last modified: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 1:54 AM EST John F. McBurney, WWII hero, former R.I. State Senator, was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal.(Staff photo by KEITH NORDSTROM) France pays tribute to local man for his heroics during firefight in World War II BY RICK FOSTER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO In December 1944, John F. McBurney Jr. was a 20-year-old private in the 103d Infantry Division driving deep into the underbelly of occupied France. McBurney and another soldier were in search of a German machine gun emplacement near a house in Woerth when the gunner suddenly opened up, forcing him to seek cover. The 1942 Attleboro High School graduate crawled the rest of the way to the house, shot one of two German soldiers and forced the other to surrender - just in time to save the life of another American caught in the machine gun's crosshairs. McBurney, who would eventually become a distinguished lawyer and state senator from Pawtucket, was awarded a bronze star for his heroic exploit. Last month, more than 60 years after the firefight, the former Attleboro resident was named a "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor by the French government in recognition of his service. French ambassador Jean-David Levitte wrote that the honor is "a sign of France's true and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation for your personal, precious contribution to the United States' decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II." McBurney, who was born in Pawtucket but grew up in Attleboro, said he was surprised to receive a call from the French government in July informing him that he was being considered for the honor. Although long ago, memories of the perilous waning days of the war remain vivid. "We were all scared," the 82-year-old McBurney recalled Tuesday. "Sometimes it surprises me that I survived." Many didn't. More than 900 soldiers in the 103d became casualties during the fighting in Europe. A number were killed even after the German surrender when McBurney's unit came in contact with Nazi diehards. The conflict in Woerth wasn't the only close call for McBurney during his military service. On another occasion, he was ordered to approach a small group of German soldiers and offer to take their surrender according to Department of Veterans Affairs records. But when the unarmed private reached the beleaguered Germans, they signaled no intention of giving up and took McBurney prisoner instead. McBurney managed to separate himself from the Germans, having been narrowly missed being shot by an enemy officer. After the Battle of the Bulge, McBurney and another soldier became temporarily separated from the 103d and encountered French partisans fighting against the Germans in Strasbourg. The two Americans witnessed the entry into the occupied city of the first Free French troops. "We were the only Americans there," McBurney said. McBurney joined the Army while in college. After returning he earned his law degree at Boston College School of Law while working as an electrical contractor and school teacher. He spent more than 50 years in the field of law and served as a state senator from District 2 in Pawtucket from 1958-1974.