That's quite funny. I'm wondering if it's because he was embarrassed or if he just thought the American public wouldn't like it back then.

Not sure. I haven't gotten that far in the book yet, but the caption reads: "After fighting was finished in Tunisia, General Giraud expressed the gratitude of the French people by giving General Ike his own Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honor, which he had refused to wear until he again could march down the streets of Metz. General Ike accepted the honor and said he, too, would not wear the decoration until Metz was liberated, hoping they could parade down the streets together. He didn't like being photographed as he was kissed, consequently the picture was withheld at that time." He looks stoic in the picture ...