Dextraze, Jacques Alfred

Date of birth:: August 15th, 1919 (Montreal/Québec, Canada)
Date of death:: May 9th, 1993 (Ottawa/Ontario, Canada)
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Jacques Alfred Dextraze was born on August 15th, 1919 as son to Jacques Dextraze and Armanda Dextraze-Bond and studied at the University St. Joseph's in Berthierville. Before the Second WOrld War, Jacques Dextraze worked as salesman with Dominion Rubber.
He reported as volunteer to the Fusiliers Mont-Royal in 1940.
In 1942 he married Frances Helena Pare, with whom he had four sons.
After World War Two he also received the Officer to the Order of the British Empire (April 18th, 1952), Companion of the Order of Canada (1978), Companion of the Order of Military Merit, Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John (December 18th, 1980, Brother Commander on July 28th, 1973, Brother on July 2nd, 1963), Commander to the Order of the British Empire (October 16th, 1964) and the Canadian Forces Decoration.

Promotions:
1940: Private;
1941: Sergeant
1942: Lieutenant;
?: Major;
December 25th, 1944: Lieutenant Colonel;
1962: Brigadier General;
1967: Major General;
1968: Lieutenant General;
1972: General.

Career:
1940: Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal;
1945: Singer Manufacturing Company, Montreal;
1950: 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment;
?: Commander Royal Canadian Infantry School, Camp Borden;
?: Commander Camp Valcartier;
1963: Chief of Staff, United Nations Forces, Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville);
1972 - 1977: Chief of Defence Staff, Canadian Forces;
1977 - 1982: Chairman Canadian National Railway.

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: D Company, Les Fusiliers Mont Royal, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: December 30th, 1944

Recommendation:
"On 1 August 44, "D" Company of Les Fusiliers Mont Royal commanded by Maj Jacques Alfred Dextraze was ordered to capture the church of ST MARTIN DE FONTENAY. The church, which was used as an observation post by the enemy,commanded the whole area. Its capture was vital to the success of further operations, of the Brigade, as it dominated a feature that had to be captured to secure the front.
During the first stage of the attack, Major Dextraze lost the officer commanding his assault platoon. At the same time the forward elements were stopped by very heavy machine gun and mortar fire which swept the street between our troops and the Germans. Realizing that it was vital to keep up the momentum of the attack, Major Dextraze rushed forward. With no regard for his own safety he crossed the street and stood against the church yard wall, fully exposed to the machine gun fire and the grenades thrown over the wall by the enemy.
From there he got his men across the street and led them into the church yard.
A sharp han-to-hand fight took place, Major Dextraze setting the exemple, and the yard was cleared of Germans. Almost immediately the counter attack came in. The company commander swiftly organized the remainder of his men and encouraged them as they hung on grimly under alternate shell fire and assault.
Finally the church was secured and the mission successfully completed. The personal daring and determination of Major Dextraze was an inspiration to his men and his initiative and devotion to duty won success against the fiercest opposition."

LG 36961/1184.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: Les Fusiliers Mont Royal, 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: August 11th, 1945

Recommendation:
"On the 16th of April 1945, 6 Canadian Infantry Brigade were given the task of clearing the enemy from the centre of GRONINGEN. Les Fusiliers Mont Royal were ordered to clear the eastern half of the city, which involved hous to house fighting, as the enemy were determined to hold the position with all the resources at their disposal.
During the early stage of the battle the leading troops were held up by heavy machine gun fire coming from well sited posts. Lieutenant Colonel Dextraze quickly appreciated that if this condition was allowed to continue the whole plan might collapse. He went forward immediately to the leading company, formulated a plan to clear the machine gun posts, and personally directed their final destruction.
Thirty minutes later, at his headquarters, it was reported that the RIGHT company was now held up by machine gun and sniper fire, and that the company commander had been killed. Again proceeding through streets swept by heavy small arms fire, he reached the company headquarters, and reorganized the attack. Personally leading the troops forward and firing a bren gun from his hip, he destroyed the enemy position allowing the company to go forward, and to reach their objective.
Having forced the enemy to abandon all their well prepared positions, with the exception of one last stronghold, Lieutenant Colonel Dextraze decided to demand the surrender of the enemy. This he did, pointing out to the enemy their hopeless position, and negotiated the complete surrender of the garrison.
Throughout the entire action Lieutenant Colonel Dextraze led his battalion forward, and when they were held up, he assisted and encouraged them onto their objective. The resourcefullness, superb courage, and devotion to duty of Lieutenant Colonel Dextraze was not only a great inspiration to his men, but the contributing factor in the final surrender of the garrison of GRONINGEN and the completion of the Divisional plan."

LG 37235/4266.
Second DSO received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSO.

Sources

Photo: Les Fusiliers Mont Royal
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 27th February 1945, Issue 36961, dated 1st March 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 21st August 1945, Issue 37235, dated 23rd August 1945
- The London Gazette of 18th April 1952, Issue 39518
- The London Gazette of 2nd July 1963, Issue 43045
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 13th October 1964, Issue 43462, dated 16th October 1964
- The London Gazette of 2nd August 1973, Issue 46043
- The London Gazette of 18th December 1980, Issue 48456
- The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Les Fusiliers Mont Royal
- National Archives Kew, WO 373/52
- National Archives Kew, WO 373/55