France Anniversary of death in action, capitaine Xavier de Cacqueray

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Dear readers; on 28. September is once again the anniversary of his death in action of a French officer under whom this writer served in Vietnam in 1952-1953 and again in 1954.

Le Capitaine Xavier de Cacqueray died of his wounds still on the field on the 28.September 1958 in Algeria. After his death he was made Officer of the Legion of Honor and received a Palm with the Croix de Valeur Militaire. He was thus cited five times beginning with the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 for action as a sixteen year old in the Resistance, three citations Croix de Guerre Theatres d'Operations Exterieur during the conflict in Indochina and this last one after his death in Algeria.

As reported earlier the 2012 class of the Ecole Speciale Militaire de St.Cyr elected to bear the name of this gallant officer. The naming of each class after a distinguished officer or other prominent military event is of long standing.

This writer was able to attend a special day of remembrance of this officer ( Journee du Parrain ) following the invitation by the family and the 2012 class of St.Cyr at the Ecole Militaire in Paris this past March. During this memorable day acquaintance was made with members of the family, a former officer and comrade of this officer in this writer's regiment in Vietnam , other former and present officers. In all a grand day if only to have set foot where Napoleon I once stood.

Bernhard H. Holst

once served with the French Foreign Legion

[Veteran]

Congratulations Bernhard for attending this memorable occasion. Your pride is understandable and I am sure your presence was a great event for this officer's family and friends.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Amitiés légionnaires

Veteran (who also served, with the R.M.L.E.)

Edited September 27, 2011 by Veteran