Jean Mi Soldi
Southern France:

Jean Michel was born in southern France in 1968 right in the area of the landing zones used during the invasion of southern France, codenamed Dragoon. Grand pa, Grand ma and his grand uncle were members of the Maquis, secret French army, and were experts in weapons. They arrested and tortured by the germans for terrorism. As a teenager, Jean Michel (JM as we call him) became more aware of the significance what happen in this place and realized soon that something have to happen to perpetuate the legacy of the second D-day 15th of August 1944.

At age 18 at a time nobody was paying attention to the invasion he started an started some little exhibition with a couple of friends ( gliders parts and little equipment he found in the barns of all those grand pa who were around during the war. He also collected items from the the drop and land zone areas and from towns near by such as the first town liberated La Motte. The exhibitions proved to be a great success and it energized the people of the area about the history.

Then in 1990 he had his first meeting with a WWII veteran. 1991, during an exhibition he discovered a CG4A WACO cockpit in the forest in la Motte. 1993, his exhibit was moved to the town of Le Muy and in 1994 in preparation for the the 75th anniversary of the war he was given a building by the mayor of the tow to set up a museum. He had now amassed many glider parts, WWII documents, veteran letters, photos and the knowledge of all the area and how the First Airborne Allied Army operated in the historical invasion of Southern France. His veteran contacts were extensive meeting and corresponding with hundreds of veterans in both Troop Carrier and Airborne units, from all over the world.

Over the years JM has been invited to be the guest at various units' reunions such as the 517th parachute infantry regiment reunion in Palm Springs, Florida and a guest at Fort Benning, 551st Para Infantry Battalion.

In 2014, JM lost his museum in a terrible flood and many of his artifacts and documents were destroyed. Even so he has continued to freely work with families and has an extensive knowledge and can hold a complicated discussion with Charlie Day on the CG-4A glider.

His work has paid off in generating interest in the younger generation which includes his son who is following in his foot steps in the educating of the history of the Southern France invasion. JM also brings the French perspective that is most welcomed and helpful.

AWARDS:

• Certificate of Appreciation from General Richard Seitz, commander of the 517th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division.
• Received a medal by the city of Draguignan his work in organizing veterans' welcome and American cemetery celebration for the 50th Anniversary of Dragoon.
• Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Draguignan for his knowledge of the Airborne Units in Southern France operation.
• A Congratulation from the Ambassador of United States of America of Marseilles after he gave a speech at Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan.