Rémy Raffalli
Barthélémy "Rémy" Raffalli (16 March 1913 – 10 September 1952) was a French Army major who fought in World War II and the First Indochina War.
Barthélémy Rémy Raffalli | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Rémy |
| Born | 16 March 1913 Nice, France |
| Died | 10 September 1952 Saigon, State of Vietnam |
| Allegiance | France |
| Service/ | French Army French Airborne |
| Years of service | 1933-1951 |
| Rank | Chef d'Escadrons |
| Unit | 1st Algerian Saphis Regiment 3rd Moroccan Spahis Regiment 2ème BEP |
| Commands held | 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion 2ème BEP |
| Battles/wars | World War II Italian Campaign First Indochina War |
Early life and pre-war service
He entered the Saint-Cyr Military School on 1 October 1933 as part of the King Albert I promotion and graduated in 1935. Raffalli then chose to enter the cavalry of the French Army and studied at the Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School in Saumur. In 1936 he was posted to the 1st Regiment of Spahis in Algeria, which he joined at Médéa, and then the 3rd Moroccan Regiment of Spahis.
World War II service
Raffalli joined the French Expeditionary Corps in Italy in 1943 and served with distinction. On 17 March 1944, he was seriously wounded while leading a squadron of the 5th Moroccan Spahis Regiment.
Post War service and death
Raffalli earned his parachute badge in September 1949. After a short tour with the 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion 3ème BEP and 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 1et BEP, he took command of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion 2èmeBEP on 12 September 1950 in Hanoi, Vietnam. He was promoted to Chef d'Escadrons on 1 July 1951 and led the battalion during the Battle of Nghia Lo in October 1951. He was fatally wounded on 1 September 1952 while leading his battalion; he died on 10 September 1952 in Saigon.
Honors and awards
Ribons
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Decorations
- Légion d'honneur
- Knight (1944)
- Officer (1951)
- Commander (1951)
- Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with one bronze star
- Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Exterieures with one bronze star
Legacy
Camp Raffalli
Camp Raffalli, the headquarters of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2ème REP) is named in his memory.
Promotion class « Chef d'Escadrons Raffalli » École militaire interarmes ESM
The 183rd promotion of the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr chose the promotion Chef d'Escadrons Raffalli. The song of the promotion recalls the arms celebration of Chef d'Escadrons Raffalli .[1]