Chris Boonzaier Posted May 22, 2014 Posted May 22, 2014 WW2, Indochina, Algeria and 6 years in Tchad... This old Commando Marine not only looks the part... Jean-Louis Delayen
TacHel Posted May 22, 2014 Posted May 22, 2014 Even after an exhaustive web search... I still couldn't find a photo of the esteemed general wearing "ALL" of his gongs... He doesn't even bother to pin on his Croix du combattant... Hmmmmm... Any particular reason why he's never seen wearing his numerous campaign medals?
Rogi Posted May 22, 2014 Posted May 22, 2014 They get too heavy on the chest maybe? Or he is just humble I think, maybe doesn't want to bring everything and only chooses certain ones for special occasions.
Veteran Posted May 26, 2014 Posted May 26, 2014 I would think Rogi is partially right In addition to the Grand Cross of the Legion of honor, he restricted the awards displayed to what he considered the more significant ; the two crox de guerre (1939 2/3 mentions in dispaches MID, TOE for Indochina 8 MID) + the Cross for military valour (10 MIDs° along with the Woundeds' badge with 4/5 combat wounds. Considering such set of awards, the combattant's cross would be redundant. The french custom of wearing long enough ribbons to accomodate the stars and palms which go with each cross, added to régulations limiting the number of awards on a same line to four. Any other display would have looked rather messy. This old warrior makes a striking picture. Hope these few remarks will help.
TacHel Posted May 26, 2014 Posted May 26, 2014 This old warrior makes a striking picture. He sure does! He simultaneously personifies "valour", "dignity" and "humility"... Quite a feat in itself wouldn't agree?!
aubagne98 Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) Hi, which one is the orange medal on the second picture? Michael Edited May 27, 2014 by aubagne98
Bison Posted May 30, 2014 Posted May 30, 2014 I am afraid this is the gold star of Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur...
TacHel Posted May 30, 2014 Posted May 30, 2014 Bison, non... Il veut dire la médaille qui pend du ruban jaune dans la seconde photo...
Bison Posted May 30, 2014 Posted May 30, 2014 (edited) Ooops, sorry. This is the Mérite Militaire Tchadien, or Military Merit of Chad. Edited May 30, 2014 by Bison
TacHel Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 (edited) I would've never guessed. First time I see this award. He must've truly valued this particular award, wearing it in lieu of other French gongs. Edited June 1, 2014 by TacHel
Chris Boonzaier Posted June 1, 2014 Author Posted June 1, 2014 Apparently he served in Tchad for 6 years!!
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