Bernard de Lattre de Tassigny | |
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Born | 11 February 1928 Paris, France |
Died | 30 May 1951 Ninh Binh, Vietnam | (aged 23)
Allegiance | France |
Service/ | French Army |
Years of service | 1944–1951 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Battles/wars | World War II First Indochina War Battle of the Day River † |
Awards | Médaille militaire Croix de guerre 1939–1945 Croix de guerre des TOE |
Relations | Jean de Lattre de Tassigny |
Bernard de Lattre de Tassigny (11 February 1928 – 30 May 1951) was a French Army officer, who fought during World War II and the First Indochina War. Bernard de Lattre received several medals during his military career, including the Médaille militaire. He was killed in action at the age of 23, fighting near Ninh Binh. At the time of his death, his father, General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, was the overall commander of French forces in Indochina. Bernard's death received widespread newspaper coverage, with headlines drawing attention to the death of the son of a general. His mother worked to preserve the memory of her son, as well as that of her more famous husband who died in 1952. Their legacy includes an open-air memorial chapel and centre in Wildenstein, Alsace, France. The death of Bernard de Lattre is mentioned in histories of the First Indochina War, and it has been compared to the deaths of other sons of generals and military leaders.