Rémy Raffalli

Barthélémy “Rémy” Raffali (16 March 1913 – 10 September 1952) was a French Army soldier who fought in World War II and the First Indochina War.

Early Life and pre-war service
He entered the Saint-Cyr Military School on 1 October 1933 as part of the King Albert I and graduated in 1935. Raffali then chose to enter the cavalry of the French Army and studied at the Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School in Saumur. In 1936 he was posted to the 1st Regiment of Spahis in Algeria, which he joined at Médéa, and then the 3rd Moroccan Regiment of Spahis.

World War II service
Raffali joined the French Expeditionary Corps in Italy in 1943 and served with distinction. On 17 March 1944, he was seriously wounded while leading a squadron of the 5th Moroccan Spahis Regiment.

Post War service and death
Raffali earned his parachute badge in September 1949. After a short tour with the 3rd and 1st Foreign Parachute Battalions, he took command of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion on 12 September 1950 in Hanoi, Vietnam. He was promoted to Major on 1 July 1951 and led the battalion during the Battle of Nghia Lo in October 1951. He was fatally wounded on 1 September 1952 while leading his battalion; he died on 10 September 1952 in Saigon

Decorations

 * Légion d'honneur
 * Knight (1944)
 * Officer (1951)
 * Commander (1951)
 * Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with one bronze star
 * Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Exterieures with one bronze star