French President awards train heroes Legion d`Honneur for preventing “carnage”

Two American servicemen who helped foil an attack on a train in Europe traveled to Germany on Monday, where one will receive additional medical care for injuries suffered in a tussle with the gunman, the Pentagon said.

Mr Hollande said: “We are here to honour four men who, thanks to their bravery, managed to save lives”.

The courageous responses to the presence of a gunman drew attention and praise from around the world, especially in France, where many quickly encouraged Mr. Hollande to award the men the Legion of Honor, which was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to reward “outstanding merit”. A fourth man, British businessman Chris Norman, was also honored today.

A French passenger who also tackled the gunman when he discovered him preparing the attack in a toilet is also being honoured, but has chosen to stay anonymous.

“Your heroism must be an example for many and a source of inspiration”, Mr. Hollande added.

Security expert Will Geddes told This Morning we all now have a part to play in tackling terrorism, whether by reporting suspicious activity or taking action if such an extreme incident calls for it.

“By their courage, they saved lives”, President François Hollande said.

Hollande then pinned the Legion of Honor medal on Stone, Skarlatos and their longtime friend Anthony Sadler, who subdued the gunman as he moved through the train with an assault rifle strapped to his bare chest.

The suspected terrorist was identified by French officials as a 26-year-old Moroccan man known to the Spanish authorities as a member of “the radical Islamist movement”.

“I just stuck two of my fingers in the hole, found what I thought to be the artery, pushed down and the bleeding stopped”, Stone said.

His civilian friend, Anthony Sadler, says they couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Alek Skarlatos attends a press conference held at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris, France, August 23, 2015.

Mr Skarlatos disputed a statement the gunman made, through a lawyer, that he just wanted to rob the train because he was hungry.

The gunman did not give up without fight though, attacking Mr Stone with a box cutter whilst trying to get free.

The suspect had an AK-47 assault weapon with nine magazines of ammunition, a Luger pistol with extra ammo and a box cutter, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.

Moogalian remains hospitalized in the city of Lille for treatment of his neck wound-which was also treated by U.S. Airman Spencer Stone, who himself was injured, aboard the train-and broken ribs. “His intentions wee pretty clear”.