Jean-Baptiste Piron

Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Piron DSO (Couvin, 10 April 1896 - Uccle, 4 September 1974) was the commander of the 1st Belgian Infantry Brigade, also known as the Brigade Piron, which took part in the liberation of Western Europe during the Second World War.

Career
After joining the army in 1914, he served in the 2nd Line Regiment until being hospitalised for appendicitis in October 1917. Temporarily unfit to serve in the infantry, he was transferred to the air service and became an aerial observer. By the end of the war in 1918, he had been promoted to the temporary rank of Captain (made official in 1933). In 1936 he was promoted to the rank of Major, becoming commander of the 1st Grenadier Regiment.

Second World War
In April 1941, he fled the German occupation of Belgium via France, Spain and Gibraltar, and managed to reach Scotland in January 1942. The following year, he promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and put in command of the 1st Infantry Brigade (Brigade Piron) by Hubert Pierlot.

Post-war
After the war he led the Belgian army of occupation in Germany. In 1947 he was promoted to Lieutenant-General in the Belgian army. From 1951 to 1957 he was chief of staff of the army and aide-de-camp to King Baudouin.

Medals and decorations
Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown with palm Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold Officer of the Order of Leopold II with crossed swords Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with palm and gilt lion Croix de Guerre 1940-1945, with palm Military Cross, 1st class Victory Medal Fire Cross 1914-1918 Volunteer Combatant's Medal 1914-1918 1914-1918 Commemorative War Medal Centenary of National Independence Commemorative Medal Escapees' Cross 1940–1945 Commemorative Medal of the War 1940-1945 with crossed sabres Grand Officer of the Legion d'honneur French Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 with palm Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau Commander of the Order of the Oak Crown Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau with crossed swords South Korean Order of Military Merit, Taeguk or 1st class Companion of the Distinguished Service Order 1939-1945 Star France and Germany Star Defence Medal