French consulate returns WWI dog tag to Alabama veteran’s family in Atlanta

The Consulate General of France in Atlanta presented Hilliard Chastain’s family with his World War I dog tag on July 13 in celebration of Bastille Day and 250 years of friendship between France and the United States.

Delphine Jeroudi, communications and press officer at the Consulate General of France in Atlanta, said the rare reunification of a WWI veteran’s family with his dog tag is “a meaningful reminder of the enduring solidarity and bond between our two nations.”

“This is actually the first time for us that we will give back a dog tag from World War I,” Jeroudi said. “Usually, we award the French Legion of Honor to the World War II veterans who fought on French soil.”

250 years of friendship

The French embassy has 10 consulates across the United States. The one in Atlanta represents the southeast. The July 13 ceremony and Bastille Day reception sold out with about 400 seats.

Jeroudi said Consul General Anne-Laure Desjonquères has bestowed France’s highest national honor on more than 10 American veterans who liberated the country from Nazi occupation.

“We have different programming to make sure that the next generation is aware of the legacy of World War II veterans,” she said. “It’s especially important this year because we’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of the French-American friendship … it’s a big anniversary for you in the U.S., but also for French people because we helped America during the Independence War.”

Chastain family

Chastain was born in Jackson, AL, in September 1897. Before age 20, he enlisted in the Alabama National Guard and served with the 167th Infantry Regiment. Chastain deployed to Europe in November 1917, attached to the 42nd “Rainbow” Division and served in France and Germany until April 1919.

An American veteran of World War I, Hilliard Chastain of Jackson, Alabama, sits for his portrait in military uniform before deploying to Europe in November 1917. (Courtesy of the Chastain family)

Hilliard Chastain’s descendants listen to a speech at the Consulate General of France in Atlanta on July 13 before receiving their grandfather’s dog tag more than a century after he returned from war in Europe. (Provided by Consulate General of France in Atlanta)

After recovering from influenza and pneumonia, he was discharged in May 1919, and returned to work as a tugboat captain in Mobile, AL.

Hillard Chastain’s oldest grandchild, Linda Chastain Rowe, lives in the city of Dacula in Gwinnett County. She said her brother in Florida received a call from someone looking for a descendant of the WWI veteran, which kicked off the process.

Linda said she never knew her grandfather, who passed away when she was 2 years old.

“Actually, our family is French, so that makes it even more meaningful,” she said. “I didn’t even know he served in France. It’s really special. The gentleman who found it Facebooked me and sent me some messages about it, so that’s neat.”

Help from the West Coast

Following its discovery, the artifact was entrusted to retired French Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel Bastien last November, who worked with retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Johnson in Los Angeles to track down Chastain’s descendants and arrange for its return.

Johnson said he thinks “it’s incredible” that two WWI dog tags have been found in France in the last year. He said the other one was presented last year in Los Angeles, and he’s “been thrilled doing research.”

“It took me a while, but I located Chastain’s grandson in Florida,” Johnson said. “He’s got relatives in Atlanta, and the family decided to have the presentation.”

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