American who helped stop France terror attack returns to US

The three American travelers say they relied on gut instinct and a close bond forged over years of friendship as they took down a heavily armed man on a passenger train speeding through Belgium on Friday, August 21. Their short-sleeved polo shirts and khakis contrasted with the gilded and velvet-curtained ceremonial hall as Hollande read out their names one by one – and kissed them on each cheek, in French style.

It’s not yet clear when Stone will be transferred back to the U.S.

Speaking in French, Norman echoed those sentiments, saying it was more about survival than heroism. “I would do it again. I will try to be a credit to this honor”.

“It feels unreal, like a dream”, Stone said. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis also says it will be up to the uniform regulations of each service to determine whether Stone and Skarlatos can wear their Legion of Honor medals.

With those words, Hollande said, a “veritable carnage” was avoided. The whole world admires your bravery.

In his speech Tuesday, the French president said the country remains “exposed” to violent extremism, and “this aggression is new proof that we should prepare ourselves for other assaults”. Both he and Skarlatos will arrive in Germany Monday afternoon, where Stone will receive additional medical treatment. Speaking as he left the Elysee, his medal pinned to his suit, Norman said it was “a little bit hard to believe that it’s actually happened”. Sadler’s plans were not made public. Those recommendations would be up to each individual service. Generally, foreign awards aren’t worn, except in special circumstances.

For the first time since the attack, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler are addressing the media together about their heroic actions that stopped a massacre. Airman Stone is on the road to recovery. We agree with him.

Led by the two military men, the four eventually subdued 26-year-old Moroccan Ayoub El-Khazzani as he moved through the train with an assault rifle strapped to his bare chest.

Prosecutors also said they found a small explosive like those used in the tips of missiles hidden in the glass box containing the hammer used to break train windows in case of emergency. Another man who tried to stop him – a French-American named Mark Moogalian – remained hospitalized with a gunshot wound.

So what do you do when a visit on a excessive-velocity train in Europe all of a sudden turns you and your buddies into worldwide heroes?