Legrand, Michel
- Date of birth:
- June 13th, 1918 (Villerville, France)
- Date of death:
- May 29th, 1955 (Saigon, Indochina)
- Service number:
- 40102
- Nationality:
- French (1870-present, Republic)
Biography
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Officier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Compagnon
- Awarded on:
- March 26th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
2 citations
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Sergent (Staff Sergeant)
- Unit:
- chef de section? Bataillon de Marche n° 1
- Awarded on:
- June 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Sergent-chef
- Unit:
- French Squadron, Special Air Service Brigade
- Awarded on:
- 1942
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Médaille du Levant (Vichy)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
l' Ordre de l'Étoile Noire
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Officier
Royal Order of Cambodia
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Military Cross (MC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Aspirant
- Unit:
- 1st SAS Regiment
- Awarded on:
- 1943
"During the course of an air operation against FUKA Satellite Aerodrome in July 192, this officer had his arm smashed by machine-gun fire. In spite of this he completed his task and in face of strong opposition destroyed seven enemy aircraft."
Recommend
David Stirling
OC SAS regiment
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant (Flying Officer)
- Unit:
- 2 Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes
- Awarded on:
- 1944
Citation:
"
"This valuable officer has been fighting in the Free French Forces since June 1940 . He has taken part in numerous actions in gabon, Syria, Tripoli, Cyrenaica Tunis. He has also taken part in operations in Brittany and has been in action in teh ardennes and Holland.
During these operations he was severely wounded three times and in Brittany he single handedly stopped the attack of a German company with his machine gun until the moment he was hit by a bullit in his lung."
Original Frnech recommendation:
Officier de tres grande valeur. Combat dans les forces de la France Libre depuis Juin 1940. A pris part a de très nombreuses actions au Gabon, en Syrie, en Tripolitaine, Cyrénaïque, Tunnis.
A participé aux opérations de Bretagne, a été engagé dans les Ardennes et en Hollande.
Au cours de ces operations, trois fois blesse très grièvement en Bretagne il arreta seul l'attaque d'une cie Allemande en tirant avec son F.M. jusqu'au moment où il recur une balle dans la poitrine.
Second MC awarded as a Bar.
"
"This valuable officer has been fighting in the Free French Forces since June 1940 . He has taken part in numerous actions in gabon, Syria, Tripoli, Cyrenaica Tunis. He has also taken part in operations in Brittany and has been in action in teh ardennes and Holland.
During these operations he was severely wounded three times and in Brittany he single handedly stopped the attack of a German company with his machine gun until the moment he was hit by a bullit in his lung."
Original Frnech recommendation:
Officier de tres grande valeur. Combat dans les forces de la France Libre depuis Juin 1940. A pris part a de très nombreuses actions au Gabon, en Syrie, en Tripolitaine, Cyrénaïque, Tunnis.
A participé aux opérations de Bretagne, a été engagé dans les Ardennes et en Hollande.
Au cours de ces operations, trois fois blesse très grièvement en Bretagne il arreta seul l'attaque d'une cie Allemande en tirant avec son F.M. jusqu'au moment où il recur une balle dans la poitrine.
Second MC awarded as a Bar.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 2 Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes
- Awarded on:
- July 1945
Citation:
"An excellent paratroop officer - took part in the Syrian, Tunesian, Brittany and Ardennes campaigns - always conscious by his gallantry, his particulary clear mind and his good knowledge of paratroop combat.
Parachuted into FRANCE on 8 June 44 near MERDRIGNAC (Cotes d'Armor) carried out several brilliant sabotage missions and organised the Maquis there. Commanded his operations which led to the liberation of MERDRIGNAC in August 44. Also he halted a company of SS which was trying to penetrate into the town. Very seriously wounded in the lung he would not be evacuated until reinforcements came. Seriously wounded in 1941 in Syria and in 1942 on the aerodrome of Fuka in Lybia during an SAS mission.
He also took part in the ARDENNES campaign in Dec 44. In Jan 45 he distinguished himself once more. On 27 December 44 at BEDVAUX leading a recce party of 15 men they were halted by concentrated fire from a defensive enemy posn. At the head of his men he ran forward; after a desperate combat he succeeded in entering the enemy lines. The Germans fled leaving several dead behind, repulsed several counter attacks and only fell weak on the arrival of tanks.
Dropped in HOLLAND on night 7/8 Apr 45 and became the inspiration of a group of men he took through ambushes, hold ups, convoy attacks, all with a character of mad tenacity and of exceptional success, thanks to his manoeuvring qualities.
On 9 Jan at GASSETTE he attacked the German HQ with grenades and without hesitation advanced single handed on open ground - thus obtained the surrender of the HQ staff - one major, one captain and 15 men who were astonished by his audacity."
Third MC awarded as a Bar.
"An excellent paratroop officer - took part in the Syrian, Tunesian, Brittany and Ardennes campaigns - always conscious by his gallantry, his particulary clear mind and his good knowledge of paratroop combat.
Parachuted into FRANCE on 8 June 44 near MERDRIGNAC (Cotes d'Armor) carried out several brilliant sabotage missions and organised the Maquis there. Commanded his operations which led to the liberation of MERDRIGNAC in August 44. Also he halted a company of SS which was trying to penetrate into the town. Very seriously wounded in the lung he would not be evacuated until reinforcements came. Seriously wounded in 1941 in Syria and in 1942 on the aerodrome of Fuka in Lybia during an SAS mission.
He also took part in the ARDENNES campaign in Dec 44. In Jan 45 he distinguished himself once more. On 27 December 44 at BEDVAUX leading a recce party of 15 men they were halted by concentrated fire from a defensive enemy posn. At the head of his men he ran forward; after a desperate combat he succeeded in entering the enemy lines. The Germans fled leaving several dead behind, repulsed several counter attacks and only fell weak on the arrival of tanks.
Dropped in HOLLAND on night 7/8 Apr 45 and became the inspiration of a group of men he took through ambushes, hold ups, convoy attacks, all with a character of mad tenacity and of exceptional success, thanks to his manoeuvring qualities.
On 9 Jan at GASSETTE he attacked the German HQ with grenades and without hesitation advanced single handed on open ground - thus obtained the surrender of the HQ staff - one major, one captain and 15 men who were astonished by his audacity."
Third MC awarded as a Bar.
Sources
- - Michel LEGRAND | L'Ordre de la Libération et son Musée
- Recommendation for Award for Legrand, Jean Rank: Sergent Chef Service No: ... | The National Archives
- Recommendation for Award for Le Grand, Michel Rank: Lieutenant Regiment: 2... | The National Archives
- Recommendation for Award for Legrand, Michel Rank: Lieutenant Regiment: 2... | The National Archives
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