TIFTON — Residents of the small town of Chaumont, Belgium, have named a road leading through the village to Bastogne the “Rue Du Col. Harold Cohen” in honor of the late Harold Cohen of Tifton — a man they describe as their “liberator.”

Cohen, a decorated WWII hero and successful local businessman, died in August 2006 at age 89. He was a first-generation American of Russian descent.

In December 1944, the 4th Armored Division, commanded by Gen. George S. Patton, was called on to relieve the besieged American soldiers at Bostogne. Cohen commanded one of the division’s battalions.

As Cohen advanced form the south toward Bastogne, he came under intense resistance at the small village of Chaumont. A tank attack by the accompanying tank battalions was repulsed; it was then decided that Cohen would lead his 10th Armored Infantry Battalion into the village and root out the Germans one house at a time, including a Tiger tank hidden in a barn.

Cohen led his troops into the fray and was successful in defeating the defenders of Chaumont. The victory was costly. Cohen lost 62 men in his battalion during the battle.

Today, the beautiful green pastures of Chaumont no longer reverberate with the sounds of war. At the same spot where some of the most intense fighting occurred now stands the Hotel Grandru. The hotel owners have established a “Wall of Remembrance” dedicated to the brave men who fought and who died there.

Doris Bryan of Tifton was a guest at the hotel recently and presented a picture of Col. Creighton Abrams and Cohen. She also presented a picture of Cohen and his wife Bettye, who died in November 2005, to the hotel’s owners, Jacinto and Catharina Vanderhoeven.

The picture is now displayed on the “Wall of Remembrance” at the hotel. A monument dedication at the site will be held on Sept. 12.

Buddy Bryan of Tifton and Ivan Steekiste of Belgium worked with officials to have the wall named in Cohen’s honor.

Cohen who moved to Tifton in 1950 and joined his brothers in the family business – Cohen’s Department Stores – was awarded the Legion of Merit, four Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts, as well as being decorated by the governments of France, Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg.

Fifty years later, Cohen was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

He hadmade several attempts to join the armed forces in 1941 after Pearl Harbor and was denied entry because of his poor vision. Cohen persisted and was admitted into the military after signing a waiver.

Two years and five months later, he would become a lieutenant colonel and lead the armored infantry battalion that, with Creighton Abrams’ 37th Tank Battalion, spearheaded the drive of George S. Patton’s Third Army across Germany.

He rose from supply officer to battalion leader.