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{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name= Valérie André
|name= Valérie André
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1922|4|21|df=y}}
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1922|4|21|df=y}}
|death_date=
|death_date=
|birth_place= Strasbourg, France
|birth_place= [[Strasbourg]], France
|death_place=
|death_place=
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial_label=
|placeofburial_label=
|image=Médecin general Valérie André (cropped).jpg
|image=Médecin general Valérie André (cropped).jpg
|caption=Valérie André in 2015
|caption=André in 2015
|nickname=
|nickname=
|allegiance= {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
|allegiance= {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
|branch= [[French Army]]
|branch= [[French Army]]
|serviceyears= 1948 - 1981
|serviceyears= 1948–1981
|rank= Médecin Général Inspecteur
|rank= Médecin Général Inspecteur
|commands=
|commands=
|unit=
|unit=
|battles=
|battles=
|awards= [[Légion d'honneur]]<br />[[ordre national du Mérite]]<br />[[Croix de guerre 1939-1945]]<br />[[Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieures|Croix de guerre T.O.E]]<br />[[Croix de la Valeur Militaire]]<br />Médaille commémorative d'Indochine<br />[[Médaille de l'Aéronautique]]<br />[[Croix du combattant volontaire 1939–1945|Croix du Combattant Volontaire]]<br />Médaille de Vermeil du service de santé
|awards= [[Légion d'honneur]]<br />[[ordre national du Mérite]]<br />[[Croix de Guerre 1939-1945]]<br />[[Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieures|Croix de guerre T.O.E]]<br />[[Croix de la Valeur Militaire]]<br />Médaille commémorative d'Indochine<br />[[Médaille de l'Aéronautique]]<br />[[Croix du combattant volontaire 1939–1945|Croix du Combattant Volontaire]]<br />Médaille de Vermeil du service de santé
}}
}}
⚫
'''Valérie André''' ({{IPA-fr|valeʁi ɑ̃dʁe|-|Fr-Valérie André.ogg}}; born 21 April 1922, in [[Strasbourg]]) is a veteran of the [[French resistance]], a [[neurosurgeon]], an [[aviator]] and the first female member of the military to achieve the rank of [[General Officer]], in 1976, as Physician General. In 1981, she was promoted to Inspector General of Medicine. A [[helicopter]] pilot, she is the first woman to have piloted a helicopter in a combat zone. She is also a founding member of the [[Académie de l'air et de l'espace]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Valerie Andre|url=http://www.aerodrome-gruyere.ch/hommage/valerie-andre.htm|publisher=Société d'aviation de la Gruyère|accessdate=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/67wVCjCf9?url=http://www.aerodrome-gruyere.ch/hommage/valerie-andre.htm|archive-date=May 26, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


⚫
'''Valérie André''' ({{IPA-fr|valeʁi ɑ̃dʁe|-|Fr-Valérie André.ogg}}; born 21 April 1922) is a veteran of the [[French Resistance]], a [[neurosurgeon]], an [[aviator]] and the first female member of the military to achieve the rank of [[General Officer]], in 1976, as Physician General. In 1981, she was promoted to Inspector General of Medicine. A [[helicopter]] pilot, she is the first woman to have piloted a helicopter in a combat zone. She is also a founding member of the [[Académie de l'air et de l'espace]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Valerie Andre|url=http://www.aerodrome-gruyere.ch/hommage/valerie-andre.htm|publisher=Société d'aviation de la Gruyère|access-date=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330182629/http://www.aerodrome-gruyere.ch/hommage/valerie-andre.htm|archive-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
As a member of the military, she is not addressed as "Madame la Générale" (a term reserved for spouses of generals) but as "General".<ref>http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/breves/2010/fevrier/vol_simule_pour_le_general_valerie_andre {{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>


She started as a Medical Captain in Indochina in 1948, already a qualified parachutist and pilot, in addition to being an army surgeon.<ref>[http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2010/09/un-brevet-en-or-massif.html Le mamouth: Un brevet, 54 ans après]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://members.multimania.co.uk/Indochine/cefeo/helicopt.html |title=''Ventilators'' : Helicopters in Indo-China (1950-54) |access-date=2011-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811103742/http://members.multimania.co.uk/Indochine/cefeo/helicopt.html |archive-date=2011-08-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While in Indochina, she realized that the most difficult part of her duties was retrieving the wounded, who were often trapped in the jungle. She returned to France to learn how to pilot a helicopter, then flew one to Indochina. From 1952-1953, she piloted 129 helicopter missions into the jungle, rescuing 165 soldiers, and on two occasions completed parachute jumps to treat wounded soldiers who needed immediate surgery.<ref>{{cite web|title=Le médecin général inspecteur Valérie André à l'honneur|url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sante/actualites/le-medecin-general-inspecteur-valerie-andre-a-l-honneur|publisher=French Ministry of Defense|accessdate=August 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Captain Valerie Andre: First Woman to Pilot a Helicopter in a Combat Zone|url=http://daytips.com/captain-valerie-andre-first-woman-to-pilot-a-helicopter-in-a-combat-zone/|publisher=Daytips|accessdate=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6AhU1GTgt?url=http://daytips.com/captain-valerie-andre-first-woman-to-pilot-a-helicopter-in-a-combat-zone/|archive-date=September 15, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
As a member of the military, she is not addressed as "Madame la Générale" (a term reserved for spouses of generals) but as "General".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/breves/2010/fevrier/vol_simule_pour_le_general_valerie_andre |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-08-14 |archive-date=2020-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821084732/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/breves/2010/fevrier/vol_simule_pour_le_general_valerie_andre/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
She started as a Medical Captain in Indochina in 1948, already a qualified parachutist and pilot, in addition to being an army surgeon.<ref>[http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2010/09/un-brevet-en-or-massif.html Le mamouth: Un brevet, 54 ans après]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://members.multimania.co.uk/Indochine/cefeo/helicopt.html |title=''Ventilators'' : Helicopters in Indo-China (1950–54) |access-date=2011-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811103742/http://members.multimania.co.uk/Indochine/cefeo/helicopt.html |archive-date=2011-08-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While in Indochina, she realized that the most difficult part of her duties was retrieving the wounded, who were often trapped in the jungle. She returned to France to learn how to pilot a helicopter, then flew one to Indochina. From 1952 to 1953, she piloted 129 helicopter missions into the jungle, rescuing 165 soldiers, and on two occasions completed parachute jumps to treat wounded soldiers who needed immediate surgery.<ref>{{cite web|title=Le médecin général inspecteur Valérie André à l'honneur|url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sante/actualites/le-medecin-general-inspecteur-valerie-andre-a-l-honneur|publisher=French Ministry of Defense|access-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Captain Valerie Andre: First Woman to Pilot a Helicopter in a Combat Zone|url=http://daytips.com/captain-valerie-andre-first-woman-to-pilot-a-helicopter-in-a-combat-zone/|publisher=Daytips|access-date=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330182635/http://daytips.com/captain-valerie-andre-first-woman-to-pilot-a-helicopter-in-a-combat-zone/|archive-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


One typical mission occurred on 11 December 1951, when casualties were in urgent need of evacuation from Tu Vu on the Black River. The only available helicopter, stationed near [[Saigon]], was dismantled, flown to [[Hanoi]] by a Bristol Freighter and reassembled. Captain André then flew into Tu Vu despite heavy mist and anti-aircraft fire. There, she triaged the casualties, operated on the most pressing cases and then flew the urgent wounded back to Hanoi, two at a time. Later, she was put in command of a casualty evacuation flight.
One typical mission occurred on 11 December 1951, when casualties were in urgent need of evacuation from Tu Vu on the Black River. The only available helicopter, stationed near [[Saigon]], was dismantled, flown to [[Hanoi]] by a Bristol Freighter and reassembled. Captain André then flew into Tu Vu despite heavy mist and anti-aircraft fire. There, she triaged the casualties, operated on the most pressing cases and then flew the urgent wounded back to Hanoi, two at a time. Later, she was put in command of a casualty evacuation flight.


She continued in Algeria as a Medical Commander in 1960, where she completed 365 war missions. She rose to the rank of Medical Lieutenant Colonel in 1965 then to Medical Colonel in 1970. She had a total of 3200 flight hours, and received 7 citations of the [[croix de guerre]].
She continued in Algeria as a Medical Commander in 1960, where she completed 365 war missions. She rose to the rank of Medical Lieutenant Colonel in 1965 then to Medical Colonel in 1970. She had a total of 3200 flight hours, and received 7 citations of the [[Croix de Guerre]].


She has written two collections of memoirs : ''Ici, Ventilateur! Extraits d'un carnet de vol.'' (Calmann-Lévy, 1954) and ''Madame le général'' (Perrin, 1988).
She has written two collections of memoirs : ''Ici, Ventilateur! Extraits d'un carnet de vol.'' (Calmann-Lévy, 1954) and ''Madame le général'' (Perrin, 1988).


She is one of eight women to hold the Grand-croix (Great Cross) rank in the [[Legion of Honour]], with [[Germaine Tillion]], [[Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz]], [[Jacqueline de Romilly]], [[Simone Rozès]], [[Christiane Desroches Noblecourt]], [[Yvette Farnoux]] et [[Gilberte Champion]].
She is one of eight women to hold the Grand-croix (Great Cross) rank in the [[Legion of Honour]], with [[Germaine Tillion]], [[Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz]], [[Jacqueline de Romilly]], [[Simone Rozès]], [[Christiane Desroches Noblecourt]], [[Yvette Farnoux]] and [[Gilberte Champion]].

She is the aunt of politician [[André Santini]].
She is the aunt of politician [[André Santini]].


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* Grand-croix of the Legion of Honour (19 December 1999); previously Chevalier on 25 February 1953
* Grand-croix of the Legion of Honour (19 December 1999); previously Chevalier on 25 February 1953
* Grand-croix of the [[Ordre National du Mérite]] in 1987, the first woman to receive this distinction.
* Grand-croix of the [[Ordre National du Mérite]] in 1987, the first woman to receive this distinction.
* [[Croix de guerre 1939-1945]] with 7 citations.
* [[Croix de Guerre 1939-1945]] with 7 citations.
* [[Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieures]]
* [[Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieures]]
* [[Croix de la Valeur Militaire|Médaille de la Valeur Militaire]]
* [[Croix de la Valeur Militaire|Médaille de la Valeur Militaire]]
* Médaille commémorative d'Indochine,
* Médaille commémorative d'Indochine,
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{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Portal|War|France|Medicine|Feminism}}
{{Portal|France|Medicine|Feminism}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Andre, Valerie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andre, Valerie}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:French generals]]
[[Category:French generals]]
[[Category:Female army generals]]
[[Category:Female army generals]]
[[Category:French Resistance members]]
[[Category:French Resistance members]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:French military personnel of the First Indochina War]]
[[Category:People from Strasbourg]]
[[Category:French military aviators]]
[[Category:French women aviators]]
[[Category:Helicopter pilots]]
[[Category:Army aviation personnel]]
[[Category:Army aviation personnel]]
[[Category:Grand Croix of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:French memoirists]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (France)]]
[[Category:French women memoirists]]
[[Category:French centenarians]]
[[Category:Women centenarians]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Strasbourg]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures]]
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[[Category:Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the National Order of Vietnam]]
[[Category:Recipients of the National Order of Vietnam]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Physicians from Strasbourg]]
[[Category:Helicopter pilots]]
[[Category:20th-century French non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:French aviators]]
[[Category:20th-century French women writers]]
[[Category:French female aviators]]
[[Category:Whirly-Girls]]

Latest revision as of 11:26, 13 June 2024

Valérie André
André in 2015
Born (1922-04-21) 21 April 1922 (age 102)
Strasbourg, France
AllegianceFrance France
Service/branchFrench Army
Years of service1948–1981
RankMédecin Général Inspecteur
AwardsLégion d'honneur
ordre national du Mérite
Croix de Guerre 1939-1945
Croix de guerre T.O.E
Croix de la Valeur Militaire
Médaille commémorative d'Indochine
Médaille de l'Aéronautique
Croix du Combattant Volontaire
Médaille de Vermeil du service de santé

Valérie André (French pronunciation: [valeʁi ɑ̃dʁe] ⓘ; born 21 April 1922) is a veteran of the French Resistance, a neurosurgeon, an aviator and the first female member of the military to achieve the rank of General Officer, in 1976, as Physician General. In 1981, she was promoted to Inspector General of Medicine. A helicopter pilot, she is the first woman to have piloted a helicopter in a combat zone. She is also a founding member of the Académie de l'air et de l'espace.[1]

As a member of the military, she is not addressed as "Madame la Générale" (a term reserved for spouses of generals) but as "General".[2]

She started as a Medical Captain in Indochina in 1948, already a qualified parachutist and pilot, in addition to being an army surgeon.[3][4] While in Indochina, she realized that the most difficult part of her duties was retrieving the wounded, who were often trapped in the jungle. She returned to France to learn how to pilot a helicopter, then flew one to Indochina. From 1952 to 1953, she piloted 129 helicopter missions into the jungle, rescuing 165 soldiers, and on two occasions completed parachute jumps to treat wounded soldiers who needed immediate surgery.[5][6]

One typical mission occurred on 11 December 1951, when casualties were in urgent need of evacuation from Tu Vu on the Black River. The only available helicopter, stationed near Saigon, was dismantled, flown to Hanoi by a Bristol Freighter and reassembled. Captain André then flew into Tu Vu despite heavy mist and anti-aircraft fire. There, she triaged the casualties, operated on the most pressing cases and then flew the urgent wounded back to Hanoi, two at a time. Later, she was put in command of a casualty evacuation flight.

She continued in Algeria as a Medical Commander in 1960, where she completed 365 war missions. She rose to the rank of Medical Lieutenant Colonel in 1965 then to Medical Colonel in 1970. She had a total of 3200 flight hours, and received 7 citations of the Croix de Guerre.

She has written two collections of memoirs : Ici, Ventilateur! Extraits d'un carnet de vol. (Calmann-Lévy, 1954) and Madame le général (Perrin, 1988).

She is one of eight women to hold the Grand-croix (Great Cross) rank in the Legion of Honour, with Germaine Tillion, Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz, Jacqueline de Romilly, Simone Rozès, Christiane Desroches Noblecourt, Yvette Farnoux and Gilberte Champion.

She is the aunt of politician André Santini.

Decorations

[edit]
French
Foreign decorations

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Valerie Andre". Société d'aviation de la Gruyère. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2011-08-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Le mamouth: Un brevet, 54 ans après
  4. ^ "Ventilators : Helicopters in Indo-China (1950–54)". Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  5. ^ "Le médecin général inspecteur Valérie André à l'honneur". French Ministry of Defense. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Captain Valerie Andre: First Woman to Pilot a Helicopter in a Combat Zone". Daytips. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
[edit]
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