It is part of the memory of France that is disappearing.
Pierre Simonet, one of the last three companions of the Liberation, died Thursday, November 5 at the age of 99, announced the Elysee, greeting a "hero" who had joined the Resistance teenager.
Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to "this man animated by the breath of freedom who, beyond the risks and the borders, was always guided by his immense love of France", specified the presidency in a press release.
Only two companions of the Liberation survive him - Daniel Cordier and Hubert Germain, both centenarians -, out of the 1,038 distinguished by General de Gaulle for their commitment to Free France during the Occupation.
His death follows that of another companion, Edgard Tupët-Thomet, who died on September 9 at the age of 100.
The Order of the Liberation is very sad to inform you of the disappearance of Mr. Pierre SIMONET, Companion of the Liberation, which occurred on November 05, 2020 in Toulon, at the age of 99 years.
Pierre Simonet was Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.
pic.twitter.com/Npj0Iv8McS
- Order of the Liberation - Invalides (@ O2LaLiberation) November 6, 2020
A life in the service of France
Born October 27, 1921 in Hanoi, Indochina, Pierre Simonet had moved to Bordeaux to study there.
Revolted by Marshal Pétain's intention to sign the armistice with Germany, the young man decided to join England to join the Free French Forces (FFL) in July 1940.
Member of the 1st artillery regiment, he took part in the campaigns in Syria and Libya, where he distinguished himself at Bir Hakeim.
He also fought during the campaigns in Tunisia and Italy, before landing in Provence and continuing the fighting in Alsace.
Death of Mr. Pierre Simonet at the age of 99.
He was one of the last 3 Companions of the Liberation.
Like his 1,038 brothers in arms, he will continue to embody the honor of France and our country's participation in Victory.
🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/q7po4VKi2Q
- Ministry of the Armed Forces (@Armees_Gouv) November 6, 2020
At the end of these campaigns, "his counter displayed 250 flight hours and 137 war missions, which earned him 5 citations and his designation as a companion of the Liberation on December 27, 1945", according to the Élysée.
After the war, Pierre Simonet spent a large part of his career in the international civil service (UN, OECD, IMF ...).
Two companions still alive
One of the last two companions still alive, Daniel Cordier, who served as Jean Moulin's secretary, celebrated his 100th birthday on August 20.
Hubert Germain, a former legionary, has been a hundred since August 6.
>> To read on France 24: The last companions of the Liberation
Father of the FFL, Charles De Gaulle created the Order of the Liberation in November 1940 to "reward the persons or the military and civilian communities who will have distinguished themselves in the work of liberation of France and its empire".
The Order was foreclosed in 1946.
It is expected that the last of the companions who will die will be buried at Mont-Valérien, the main place of execution of resistance fighters and hostages by the German army during the Second World War.
Charles de Gaulle inaugurated the Memorial to Combatant France there in 1960.
With AFP and Reuters
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