Raymond Duc (31 October 1917 – 19 September 1950) was a French soldier who fought in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

and the

First Indochina War The First Indochina War (generally known as the Indochina War in France, and as the Anti-French Resistance War in Vietnam) began in French Indochina from 19 December 1946 to 20 July 1954 between France and Việt Minh (Democratic Republic of Vi ...

. He fought in a raiding party during the early part of World War II, but was demobilized after the Battle of France. In 1943 he fled France and joined the

Free French Forces __NOTOC__ The French Liberation Army (french: Armée française de la Libération or AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (french: Forces françaises libres, l ...

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. He joined the Tchad March Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division, taking part in its campaigns in France and Germany, most notably the Liberation of Paris. After the war he left the army, but rejoined after two years and served three years in Indochina as a paratrooper with three different battalions before being killed in action. He was well known by his nickname: Ramuntcho.

Biography

Early years and World War II

Raymond Duc was born on 31 October 1917 in Aïcirits-Camou-Suhast, a small Basque village near the border with

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. After studying at the ''Lycée de Bayonne'' and ''Collége de Betharam'' in

Lourdes Lourdes (, also , ; oc, Lorda ) is a market town situated in the Pyrenees. It is part of the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region in southwestern France. Prior to the mid-19th century, the town was best known for the Châ ...

, he was just starting a career as a sports instructor when he was called up for military service in 1938. He was sent to the 107th Infantry Regiment based at Angoulême. He served in a ''Corps Franc'' (a small unit that conducted raids on the German Siegfried Line), in the early part of World War II, during which he received two citations. He was demobilized in August 1940 after the French defeat in the Battle of France. After leaving the military Raymond Duc returned to his Basque home, but in February 1943 he was designated to be sent as forced labour to Germany. He choose to leave France by crossing the border into Spain, where he was interned at Pamplona for three months and at Miranda for five, before he reach Casablanca in November. There he joined the Tchad March Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division of General Leclerc and was sent to the 7th Company, under Captain Fonde of the 2nd Battalion under Major Massu. He was shipped with his battalion to England in April 1944, landing in Normandy on 31 July. He took part in the campaigns of Paris, the Vosges, Alsace and Germany. He particularly distinguished himself during the fighting at Villacoublay (24 August 1944) and Dompaire (12 September 1944). He received six citations during the 1944–45 campaign.

IndoChina

Raymond Duc was demobilized in 1945, but after spending two years as a civilian, he enlisted for Indochina in October 1947. He gained his parachute wings in December the same year and served in the 2nd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion (''2e BCCP'') under Major Dupuis, then Major Trinquier. Promoted to ''Adjudant'' (Warrant Officer) in July 1948, he joined the ''5e BCCP'' under Major Grall, then Major Romain-Desfossés, and took part in the operations of Commando Group 1 under Captain Picherit, as second-in-command, in central and northern

Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making i ...

. When the ''5e BCCP'' returned to France, he extended his tour by joining an Indochinese parachute company that was later integrated with the ''7e BCCP''. He was killed in action on 19 September by a shot to the head during Operation Gregoire, the first operation of the ''7e BCCP''. Raymond Duc received four citations during the

. In 1981, the 99th class of

Saint-Maixent Saint-Maixent () is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays de la Loire in north-western France. See also *Communes of the Sarthe department The following is a list of the 354 communes of the Sarthe department of France. ...

Military School was named in his honour. A commemorative plaque to his memory was placed on his grave in the Suhast cemetery on 2 March 1982 in the presence of Colonel Bernard Messana, commander of the ''1er RPIMa''.

Decorations

* Knight of the ''Légion d’honneur'' *''

Médaille militaire The ''Médaille militaire'' ( en, Military Medal) is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. It is the third highest award of the French Republic, ...

'' *'' Croix de Guerre 1939–1945'' *'' Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures'' *''

Médaille des Évadés The Escapees' Medal (french: Médaille des Évadés) is a military award bestowed by the government of France to individuals who were prisoners of war and who successfully escaped internment or died as a result of their escape attempt. The "Escap ...

de France'' *'' Médaille des FFL'' * Silver Star (US) *

Bronze Star The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

(US) *

Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a military decoration awarded to ...

He received 14 citations during his career.