André Salvat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
André Salvat
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| Born | 16 May 1920 Prades, Pyrénées-Orientales, France |
| Died | 9 February 2017 (aged 96) Perpignan, France |
| Allegiance |  France Free France |
| Service/ |
Army |
| Years of service | 1938–1973 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Awards | Legion of Honour Order of Liberation Croix de Guerre Colonial Medal Médaille Commémorative de la Campagne d'Indochine Croix de la Vaillance Vietnamienne Croix Militaire de 1ère classe |
André Salvat (born May 16, 1920 – died February 9, 2017) was a brave colonel in the French Army. He was a veteran who fought in three major conflicts: World War II, the First Indochina War, and the Algerian War. For his amazing service during World War II, he was given a very special award called "Companion of the Liberation."
Early Life and Joining the Army
André Salvat was born on May 16, 1920, in a town called Prades, near Perpignan in France. His father had fought in World War I, and his mother ran a shop. André went to a military school in Perpignan, which helped him prepare for a life in the army.
He joined the French Army in May 1938. By July 1939, he was a sergeant. He was stationed in Tripoli, Libya, serving under General Eugène Mittelhauser.
Fighting in World War II
When France signed a peace agreement (armistice) with Germany in June 1940, André Salvat refused to give up. He decided to join the Free France forces. These were French soldiers who continued to fight against Germany, even after France was occupied. He joined them in Palestine.
Salvat fought in many important battles in North Africa. These included the Battle of Sidi Barrani, Sollum, Bardia, the Siege of Tobruk, and battles in Benghazi and El Agueila. He also fought in both the First Battle of El Alamein and the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt. These were very tough battles against German and Italian forces.
In December 1943, he became a lieutenant. He then fought in the Italian campaign, helping to free Italy from German control. For his service in Libya, he received the Colonial Medal.
André Salvat returned to France on August 17, 1944. He landed in Provence and joined the French Resistance. These were secret groups of people who fought against the German occupation from within France. He later fought in the Battle of Alsace and the Battle of Authion. For his bravery and service, he was made a Companion of the Liberation. He also received the Croix de Guerre, another important military award.
After World War II
After World War II ended, Salvat continued his military career. In 1945, he taught at Coëtquidan, a military academy. He served in different countries like Morocco, Senegal, and the Republic of the Congo.
In October 1953, he joined the First Indochina War. This was a conflict in Southeast Asia. During this war, he was wounded four times. He was also captured and held as a prisoner for three months in 1954. For his service in Indochina, he received the Médaille Commémorative de la Campagne d'Indochine and the Croix de la Vaillance Vietnamienne.
From 1954 to 1962, Salvat served in the Algerian War. He worked as an aide to General Raymond Delange.
Later, he was stationed in Germany from 1962 to 1966. He then served in Kinshasa, Zaire (which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1967 to 1971. He received the Croix Militaire de 1ère classe for his service there. He returned to France and served there until 1973.
André Salvat retired from the army in April 1973. He was honored with a very high award, becoming a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.
Death
André Salvat passed away on February 9, 2017, in Perpignan, France. He was 96 years old. After his death, Jean-Marc Todeschini, a French government official, praised him. He called Salvat an "exemplary resistant" who was "tirelessly brave and determined" in serving France.
