KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- "In the first 30 minutes we lost 974 killed in the first 30-minutes."

65-years later, the horrors of "D-Day" and what happened on the shores of Normandy still haunt this "D-Day" veteran.

"Even that night up on top of the hill that night I still regretted not saving more people than I did, " Benjamin Franklin told WVLT.

Modesty and a sense of honor keep Franklin from considering himself a hero, even though he saved countless lives and helped secure Omaha Beach. In early June, Franklin was flown to Normandy to take part in the 65-year anniversary of the invasion and to receive France's highest metal. The French Legion of Honor.

"There's a deep pride of what I did do and I'm glad it's over"

"I felt it was the least we could do"

City Council Woman Marilyn Roddy learned of Franklin's heroics, and seeing as our World War II veterans are becoming scarce, she wanted him to be recognized now.

"If the french people were wanting to bestow their highest military and civilian honor on Mr. Franklin, I thought that the least his hometown could do would be to recognize him here as well." Roddy said.

While in Normandy, Franklin visited with President Obama, and spent eight minutes educating him on the Normandy invasion.

"My lecture was strictly on what my battalion did on d-day."

For this retired Sergeant Major, all the medals and all the honors and all the resolutions will never make up for what happened on June 6th, 19-44.

"Sometimes the mission is too difficult. Sometime the sacrifice is too great. This is acceptable. And D-Day happened to be one of those days."