Raoul Magrin-Vernerey
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Raoul Charles Magrin-Vernerey, also known as Ralph Monclar (born 7 February 1892, died 3 June 1964) was a French officer and 2nd Inspector of the Foreign Legion who fought in World War I, World War II within the ranks of the Free French Forces and led the French Battalion in the Korean War.
/ref> He was also one of the first senior officers to respond to the Appeal of 18 June.


Early life

Following studies at Victor Hugo School, he first tried to volunteer for the Foreign Legion. Because he was only 15, he was not admitted and so returned to continue his studies.


Military career


World War I

Admitted to
École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr The École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr (ESM, literally the "Special Military School of Saint-Cyr") is a French military academy, and is often referred to as Saint-Cyr (). It is located in Coëtquidan in Guer, Morbihan, Brittany. Its motto is ...
in 1912, he graduated in 1914 part of the "promotion de Montmirail" with the rank of Sous-lieutenant. On 5 August 1914, he joined the 60th Line Infantry Regiment (french: 60e régiment d'infanterie de ligne, 60e RIL) and ended the war with the rank of
captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
. He was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur and 11 citations, wounded 7 times and subsequently retired with 90% invalidity because of a thigh fractured by a bullet, a broken arm due to a grenade, trepanning wounds and gas burns to his eyes.


Interwar period

Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, he was assigned to the Allied Chief Commander of the
Orient The Orient is a term for the East in relation to Europe, traditionally comprising anything belonging to the Eastern world. It is the antonym of ''Occident'', the Western World. In English, it is largely a metonym for, and coterminous with, the c ...
. He then joined the general staff headquarters as chief of the first bureau in the beginning of 1919 and appointed to command the 1st Moroccan Tirailleur Regiment (french: 1er Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains, 1er R.T.M). On 25 September, he was designated to conduct a training program at the Center of Aviation of the 415th Infantry Regiment 415e RI of San Stefano where he was appointed as an aviation instructor. Following the assignment, he joined the administrative services of the Levant in Beirut, Lebanon as an adjoint to the administrator. He was designated as an Administrative Council on 1 March 1920 then Inspector on 19 October. In that post, he earned a citation at the order of the armed forces. On 11 May 1921, he was appointed to form the
Army of the Levant The Army of the Levant (french: Armée du Levant) identifies the armed forces of France and then Vichy France which occupied, and were in part recruited from, the French Mandated territories in the Levant during the interwar period and early Wor ...
in the Levant. On 1 July 1921, he assumed command of the 4th combat company of the 1st Squadron, eventually becoming the adjoint of the regimental commander. On 1 March 1924, he finally joined the ranks of the French Foreign Legion. After a brief tour with the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI, he was assigned to the
3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 3e Régiment étranger d'infanterie, 3e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is stationed in French Guiana. Its mission includes the protection of the C ...
, 3e REI (the recently-redesignated Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion) and took part in the Moroccan campaign until 1927. Then, he was promoted to the rank of Chef de battaillon ( Commandant – Major) in 1928. On 14 October 1930, he was designated to take command of the 16th Chasseur Battalion à Pied (french: 16e Bataillon de chasseurs à pied, 16e B.C.P). Following the command, he was reassigned to the Legion in 1931 and would not leave the Legion until October 1941. During his 10-year tenure, he was assigned to the
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade ...
, 2e REI, then stationed in Morocco and the
5th Foreign Infantry Regiment The 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (abbr. 5th REI, french: 5e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie), nicknamed the "Regiment of Tonkin" (french: "Régiment du Tonkin"), was a regiment of the Foreign Legion of the French Army created under the Thir ...
, 5e REI in Tonkin.


World War II

Returning from the Far East, in January 1938 he assumed command of the instruction battalion at Saïda, while he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel on 25 June 1938, prior to embarking to Morocco with the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment 4e REI. On 23 February 1940, he rejoined the 3e R.E.I, which formed a Mountain Marching Battalion Groupment. He was designated as a regimental commander of 2 Legion battalions which formed the 13th Light Mountain Demi-Brigade of the Legion (french: link=no, 13e Demi-Brigade Légère de Montagne de Légion Etrangère, 13e DB.L.MLE). Regrouped first in
Larzac The Larzac, also known as the Causse of Larzac (French: ''Causse du Larzac''), is a limestone karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central, France, situated between Millau (in the département of l'Aveyron) and Lodève (in the départem ...
then Sathonay, his unit prepared for a campaign with destination unknown. This unit would be the forebear of the
13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion ) and veteran foreign regiments (french: Anciens régiment étranger, link=no) of the Legion, in case of the CEPs, BEPs & REPs, the context reference is referring to the paratrooper veterans (french: Anciens legionnaires parachutistes, link=no) ...
, 13e DBLE. On 13 May 1940, at Bjervik, Norway, the 13th DBLE saw action for the first time in the Norwegian Campaign, conquering four objectives and forcing German forces to retreat while abandoning numerous
prisoners A prisoner (also known as an inmate or detainee) is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement, captivity, or forcible restraint. The term applies particularly to serving a prison sentence in a prison. ...
, automatic arms, equipment and 10
Junkers Ju 52 The Junkers Ju 52/3m (nicknamed ''Tante Ju'' ("Aunt Ju") and ''Iron Annie'') is a transport aircraft that was designed and manufactured by German aviation company Junkers. Development of the Ju 52 commenced during 1930, headed by German Aeros ...
transport aircraft stuck on the ice of a lake. From 28 May to 2 June, Magrin-Vernerey and his Legionnaires were victorious at
Narvik ( se, Áhkanjárga) is the third-largest municipality in Nordland county, Norway, by population. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Narvik. Some of the notable villages in the municipality include Ankenesstranda, Ball ...
, which was referred to as "the only French victory of 1939–1940" (''la seule victoire française de 1939–1940''). The 13th DBLE liberated 60 Allied prisoners and captured 400 Germans, 10 cannons and significant material. Barely back to France with 500 of his men, he joined the Free French Forces in England on 21 June 1940 and adopted the name de Monclar (from the village name of
Monclar-de-Quercy Monclar-de-Quercy (, literally ''Monclar of Quercy''; oc, Montclar de Carcin) is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie Occitanie may refer to: *Occitania, a region in southern France called ''Occitanie'' in French *Occi ...
, Tarn-et-Garonne). He was soon promoted to the rank of Colonel. Leading the 13th DBLE in operations against Axis forces in the East African Campaign with the
1st Free French Division The 1st Free French Division (french: 1re Division Française Libre, 1re DFL) was one of the principal units of the Free French Forces (FFL) during World War II, renowned for having fought the Battle of Bir Hakeim. Consisting of troops from m ...
1re DFL, he took part in the Battle of Keren and the Battle of Massawa. In June 1941, he refused to take part in combat against
Vichy French Vichy France (french: Régime de Vichy; 10 July 1940 – 9 August 1944), officially the French State ('), was the fascist French state headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain during World War II. Officially independent, but with half of its terr ...
forces in the Levant and particularly the Legionnaires of the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment 6e REI. Following his refusal, he was replaced as commander of the 13th DBLE by Lieutenant-colonel Prince Amilakvari, who led the unit across northern Libya and into Tunisia. Promoted to the first section of officer generals, he exercised various commands in the Levant and participated to numerous campaigns and finished his tour as the Superior Commander of Troops in the Levant. Becoming adjoint to the superior commander of troops in Algeria in 1946, he was in 1948 designated as 2nd Inspector of the Foreign Legion charged with the permanent mission of inspecting Legion units until 1950.
Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, L'Etat-major du COMLE (Commandement de la Légion Étrangère), Les Chefs COMLE
Over the following two years, he constantly visited the various continents where the Legion was stationed and engaged in combat, including in Algeria, Morocco, Madagascar and Indochina.


Korean War

In 1950, at the age of 60 and on the eve of retirement from active duty, he volunteered to command the United Nations bataillon de Corée in course of formation and was voluntarily demoted from général de corps d'armée to lieutenant-colonel in order to command the battalion. The battalion was attached to the
23rd Infantry Regiment The 23rd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. A unit with the same name was formed on 26 June 1812 and saw action in 14 battles during the War of 1812. In 1815 it was consolidated with the 6th, 16th, 22nd, and ...
as part of the US Army's 2nd Infantry Division. In February 1951, the 23rd Infantry Regiment and the Bataillon de Corée fought the Battle of Chipyong-ni. According to the US Army commander in Korea, General Matthew Ridgway:
I shall speak briefly of the 23rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, Colonel
Paul L. Freeman Jr. Paul Lamar Freeman Jr. (June 29, 1907 – April 17, 1988) was a United States Army four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group from 1962 to 1965 and Commanding General, Continental ...
commanding, ndwith the French Battalion. Isolated far in advance of the general battle line, completely surrounded in near-zero weather, they repelled repeated assaults by day and night by vastly superior numbers of Chinese. They were finally relieved. I want to say that these American fighting men, with their French comrades-in-arms, measured up in every way to the battle conduct of the finest troops America and France have produced throughout their national existence.


Later life

Attaining the limit of service age, he returned to France in 1951. In 1962 while succeeding général André Kientz, he became Governor of
Les Invalides The Hôtel des Invalides ( en, "house of invalids"), commonly called Les Invalides (), is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as ...
(french: Gouverneur des Invalides), an official function directing the institution and an office in which he died while in tenure, like many other Governors. He was also the founding President of the National Association of United Nations French Forces of the Korean Regiment.(ANAFFC ONU et RC, voir le site de l'association à l'adresse suivant


Honors

* The Garrison of the
13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion ) and veteran foreign regiments (french: Anciens régiment étranger, link=no) of the Legion, in case of the CEPs, BEPs & REPs, the context reference is referring to the paratrooper veterans (french: Anciens legionnaires parachutistes, link=no) ...
, 13e DBLE in Djibouti bears his name. * In 1979, the place du Général-Monclar in the 15e arrondissement de Paris bears his name. * The 171st promotion of the
École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr The École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr (ESM, literally the "Special Military School of Saint-Cyr") is a French military academy, and is often referred to as Saint-Cyr (). It is located in Coëtquidan in Guer, Morbihan, Brittany. Its motto is ...
(1984–1987) bears his name. * Stade Monclar at
Neuilly-sur-Seine Neuilly-sur-Seine (; literally 'Neuilly on Seine'), also known simply as Neuilly, is a commune in the department of Hauts-de-Seine in France, just west of Paris. Immediately adjacent to the city, the area is composed of mostly select residentia ...
. * In 2011, the town hall
Monclar-de-Quercy Monclar-de-Quercy (, literally ''Monclar of Quercy''; oc, Montclar de Carcin) is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie Occitanie may refer to: *Occitania, a region in southern France called ''Occitanie'' in French *Occi ...
rendered him hommage by inaugurating a
stele A stele ( ),Anglicized plural steles ( ); Greek plural stelai ( ), from Greek , ''stēlē''. The Greek plural is written , ''stēlai'', but this is only rarely encountered in English. or occasionally stela (plural ''stelas'' or ''stelæ''), whe ...
in his honour at the entrance of town hall. Also, the town hall salle d'honneur bear also his name.


Decorations


French Decorations

*
Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon B ...
* Companion of the Order of Liberation (1 June 1943) * Military Medal * Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (11 citations) *
Croix de guerre 1939–1945 The ''Croix de Guerre 1939–1945'' (English: War Cross 1939–1945) is a French military decoration, a version of the ''Croix de Guerre'' created on 26 September 1939 to honour people who fought with the Allies against the Axis forces at any ti ...
(3 citations) *
Croix de Guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures The ''Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieurs'' (War Cross for foreign operational theatres), also called the ''Croix de Guerre TOE'' for short, is a French military award denoting citations earned in combat in foreign countri ...
(6 citations) *
Resistance Medal The Resistance Medal (french: Médaille de la Résistance) was a decoration bestowed by the French Committee of National Liberation, based in the United Kingdom, during World War II. It was established by a decree of General Charles de Gaulle on 9 ...
with rosette *
Escapees' Medal 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 ...
*
Insignia for the Military Wounded The Medal for the War Wounded (french: Médaille des blessés de guerre) was originally a mere insignia in the form of an ribbon awarded for wounds received in the line of duty while facing an enemy. The insignia was established by the law of 11 De ...
(7 stars) *
Volunteer combatant's cross 1914–1918 Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...
* Colonial Medal with clasps "Maroc 25–26" and "Erythrée" *
Syria-Cilicia commemorative medal The Syria-Cilicia Medal () was a French decoration awarded to military personnel engaged in the hostilities that erupted in the Middle East in the immediate aftermath of World War I. Instituted in 1922, this campaign medal was awarded by the F ...
* Commemorative war medal 1914–1918 *
1914–1918 Inter-Allied Victory medal The 1914–1918 Inter-Allied Victory medal (french: "Médaille Interalliée de la Victoire 1914–1918") was a French commemorative medal established on 20 July 1922. It was the French version of a common allied campaign medal where each allied ...
* 1939–1945 Commemorative war medal *
Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France The Commemorative medal for voluntary service in Free France (french: Médaille commémorative des services volontaires dans la France libre) was a French commemorative war medal established by decree on 4 April 1946 on the 1945 proposition of g ...
* French Commemorative Medal of operations of the United Nations in Korea * Commemorative Medal of Lebanon (1926)


Foreign Decorations

* Grand Officer of the
Order of the Dragon of Annam The Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam (, , ; french: Ordre impérial du Dragon d'Annam, Ordre du Dragon Vert) was created in 1886 in the city of Huế, by Emperor Đồng Khánh of the Imperial House of Annam, upon the "recommendation" of th ...
( Annam) * Commander of the Order of the Crown ( Belgium) *
Croix de Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...
(Belgium) * Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia ( Cambodia) *
Order of the Star of Anjouan The Ordre de l'Étoile d'Anjouan (Order of the Star of Anjouan) was a French colonial order of knighthood founded in 1874. History It was established in 1874 by sultan Said Ali bin Said Omar of the Grande Comore island of Anjouan, reorganised ...
(
Comoros The Comoros,, ' officially the Union of the Comoros,; ar, الاتحاد القمري ' is an independent country made up of three islands in southeastern Africa, located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. It ...
) * Military Merit Targuk with silver star ( South Korea) *
Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...
(US) *
Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
(US) * Croix de guerre ( Greece) *
Order of Merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by K ...
( Lebanon) * Grand Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite ( Morocco) * Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav ( Norway) * War Cross with sword with sword (Norway) * Virtuti Militari ( Poland) * Officer of the
Order of the Star of Romania The Order of the Star of Romania (Romanian: ''Ordinul Steaua României'') is Romania's highest civil Order and second highest State decoration after the defunct Order of Michael the Brave. It is awarded by the President of Romania. It has five r ...
with swords ( Romania) *
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
(UK) * Military Cross (UK)


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Magrin-Vernerey, Raoul 1892 births 1964 deaths French generals French military personnel of the Korean War French military personnel of World War I French military personnel of World War II Hungarian emigrants to France Recipients of the Croix de guerre (Belgium) Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) Recipients of the Virtuti Militari Grand Croix of the Légion d'honneur Companions of the Liberation Recipients of the Resistance Medal Recipients of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures Recipients of the Order of the Dragon of Annam Recipients of the Military Cross Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Recipients of the Silver Star Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit Commanders of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Recipients of the War Cross with Sword (Norway) Recipients of the War Cross (Greece) Officers of the Order of the Star of Romania Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Korea) École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr alumni Officers of the French Foreign Legion