Jean Antoine Le Bègue de Germiny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Antoine Le Bègue de Germiny
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| Born | 1 December 1727 |
| Died | 13 May 1808 (aged 80) |
| Occupation | Officer of the French Navy |
Jean Antoine Le Bègue de Germiny (born in Nancy on 1 December 1727 – died in Landerneau on 13 May 1808) was an important officer in the French Navy. He played a role in the War of American Independence.
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Jean Antoine Le Bègue de Germiny was born into a well-known family. His father, Léopold Le Bègue de Germiny, was a special advisor to the Duke of Lorraine. Jean Antoine later married Marie Josèphe de Parceveaux.
He began his career in the Navy on 1 April 1748. At that time, he joined as a Garde-Marine. This was like being a cadet or a trainee officer, learning how to become a naval leader.
Rising Through the Ranks
Jean Antoine Le Bègue de Germiny worked hard and moved up in the Navy.
- On 1 January 1761, he was promoted to Lieutenant. This meant he was now a junior officer in charge of a group of sailors.
- On 4 April 1777, he became a Captain. This was a big step, putting him in command of his own ship.
- In 1779, he even suggested plans to attack British factories along the coast of Senegal.
Captain Le Bègue de Germiny commanded a powerful warship called the Magnanime. This ship was a 74-gun vessel, meaning it had 74 cannons!
He led the Magnanime in two very important battles:
- He fought in the Battle of the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781. This battle was a key moment in the American Revolutionary War.
- He also took part in the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782. During this battle, he was injured, showing his bravery in combat.
Later Career and Honors
After his time at sea, Le Bègue de Germiny continued to be promoted.
- In 1782, he became a Brigadier, which is a high rank in the military.
- In 1786, he was promoted to Chef d'Escadre. This was a very senior position, similar to being an admiral in charge of a fleet of ships.
He was also a member of the Académie de Marine, which was a special group for naval experts and scholars. He was also given an important award called the Knight in the Order of Saint Louis, which recognized his service and bravery.
