Twins Awarded French Legion of Honor

Identical twin brothers who served in the Army Air Forces more than 70 years ago received the French Legion of Honor medal on Dec. 2 for their service during World War II, according to a release. Raymond “Glenn” Clanin and Russell “Lynn” Clanin, both retired Air Force Reserve majors, flew the B-26 Marauder with the 449th Bombardment Squadron while stationed in Beauvais, France. Glenn Clanin flew 26 missions in the twin-engine medium bomber, while his brother flew 21 missions. “We have here two identical twins who married twins. At times, piloted the same aircraft, ‘Flak Bait,’ which currently is being restored by the Smithsonian, and today, over 70 years later, they are getting identical medals, … which seems appropriate to me,” said Maj. Gen. Robert McMurry, vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center. Christophe Lemoine, consul general of France in Los Angeles, told the Clanin brothers that the French “would never forget that you helped restore their freedom. Your courage and your dedication is an example to us all … You remind us that, no matter how great the challenge, it can be met when honest men and women stand up with determination and courage.”