Raymond Duc
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Raymond Duc (31 October 1917 – 19 September 1950), also known by his nickname Ramuntcho Duc, was a French soldier who fought in
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
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, and alternatively internationally as the French-Indochina War) was fought between French Fourth Republic, France and Việ ...
. He fought in a raiding party during the early part of World War II, but was demobilized after the
Battle of France The Battle of France (; 10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign (), the French Campaign (, ) and the Fall of France, during the Second World War was the Nazi Germany, German invasion of the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxembour ...
. In 1943 he fled France and joined the
Free French Forces __NOTOC__ The French Liberation Army ( ; AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (; FFL) during World War II. The military force of Free France, it participated ...
in
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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 The liberation of Paris () was a battle that took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the German garrison surrendered the French capital on 25 August 1944. Paris had been occupied by Nazi Germany since the signing of the Armisti ...
. 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.


Biography


Early years and World War II

Duc was born on 31 October 1917 in
Aïcirits-Camou-Suhast Aïcirits-Camou-Suhast (; ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Departments of France, department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regions of France, region in southwestern France.Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
. After studying at the ''Lycée de Bayonne'' and ''Collége de Betharam'' in
Lourdes Lourdes (, also , ; ) 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 its Château fort, a ...
, 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 Angoulême (; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''Engoulaeme''; ) is a small city in the southwestern French Departments of France, department of Charente, of which it is the Prefectures of France, prefecture. Located on a plateau overlooking a meander of ...
. He served in a ''Corps Franc'' (a small unit that conducted raids on the German
Siegfried Line The Siegfried Line, known in German as the ''Westwall (= western bulwark)'', was a German defensive line built during the late 1930s. Started in 1936, opposite the French Maginot Line, it stretched more than from Kleve on the border with the ...
), 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 The Battle of France (; 10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign (), the French Campaign (, ) and the Fall of France, during the Second World War was the Nazi Germany, German invasion of the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxembour ...
. After leaving the military, 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 Casablanca (, ) is the largest city in Morocco and the country's economic and business centre. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast of the Chaouia (Morocco), Chaouia plain in the central-western part of Morocco, the city has a populatio ...
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.


Indo-China

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 Trinquier is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Angélique Trinquier (born 1991), Monégasque swimmer * Michel Trinquier (born 1931), French painter * Roger Trinquier (1908–1986), French Army officer and counter-insurgency t ...
. 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, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...
. 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''. Duc received four citations during 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, and alternatively internationally as the French-Indochina War) was fought between French Fourth Republic, France and Việ ...
. 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, northwestern France. See also *Communes of the Sarthe department The following is a list of the 352 communes of the Sarthe department of France. Th ...
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'' (, "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 (French for "cross") may refer to: Belgium * Croix-lez-Rouveroy, a village in municipality of Estinnes in the province of Hainaut France * Croix, Nord, in the Nord department * Croix, Territoire de Belfort, in the Territoire de Belfort d ...
'' *''
Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures The (; "War Cross for Foreign Operational Theatres"), also called the for short, is a French military award denoting citations earned in combat in foreign countries. The Armistice of November 11, 1918 ended the war between France and Germa ...
'' *''
Médaille des Évadés The Escapees' Medal () 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 "Escapees' Medal" was established by ...
de France'' *'' Médaille des FFL'' *
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 a ...
(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) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...
He received 14 citations during his career.


See also

*
List of companions of the Liberation This is a list of the companions of the Liberation, which consist of people, communities and military units that have been awarded the Ordre de la Libération. 1038 people, 5 cities, and 18 military units have been awarded '' Compagnons de la L ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duc, Raymond 1917 births 1950 deaths People from Lower Navarre French Army personnel of World War II French military personnel killed in the First Indochina War Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) Knights of the Legion of Honour Recipients of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)