Hamish Craig (93), who now lives on the Hibiscus Coast, has been appointed a knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
Mr Craig was parachuted into occupied France during World War 2 to work with the Maquis, rural guerrilla bands of French resistance fighters.
The secret nature of the work meant for 50 years it could not be disclosed, even to his family and friends, and his daughter, Ruth Craig, also of the Hibiscus Coast, said he still was not keen to talk about it.
"Hamish was bound by an oath of secrecy for 50 years. So this was a part of his life that was never talked of.''
Mr Craig was originally from Argyll, in Scotland.
During the war he was in the Auxiliary Unit, specially trained, highly secret units created to use irregular warfare to help combat any invasion of the United Kingdom by Germany.
That training was called upon to support the Maquis and the D-Day operation, the Allied invasion of Normandy.
Ms Craig said her father was highly trusted and very fit from his work in the hills of Scotland.
"The work was highly secret and, unlike most veterans, he was under an oath of secrecy for 50 years.
"For those 50 years he was not able to disclose his part in the operation and it could never be acknowledged.''
In the 1950s, Mr Craig, with his young family, settled in South Otago, and lived there for more than 30 years.
He managed a sheep farm at Puerua, south of Balclutha, worked for the Clutha County Council, and later managed a farm goods store in Balclutha.
After that, he drove taxis and buses in the area, before retiring to the Hibiscus Coast.
His wife, Connie, died in 2001.
Last week, Mr Craig was personally thanked by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, during a visit to New Zealand, for his courage and contribution to the liberation of France.
Ms Craig said her father, who was unavailable for comment yesterday, was `"honoured and very proud'' to receive the award.
"It is wonderful to have his contribution acknowledged in such a special way.
"At the time, he, like so many others, felt he was just doing what was required of him, and he never for one minute expected to be honoured for it.''
The family had "always been very proud of him and we are so pleased he received the Legion of Honour award.''
"The invitation to attend the wreath-laying ceremony meant a lot to him.''
