Pierre Simonet, one of the last three companions of the Liberation, is dead

Pierre Simonet, one of the last three companions of the Liberation, died Thursday at the age of 99, announced the Elysee, saluting 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 within Free France during the German Occupation.

His death follows that of another companion, Edgard Tupët-Thomet, who died on September 9 at the age of 100.

Revolted by Marshal Pétain

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 FFL in July 1940. Member of the 1st artillery regiment, he took part in the campaigns from 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.

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 Elysee.

After the war, Pierre Simonet spent a large part of his career in the international civil service (UN, OECD, IMF ...).

For Emmanuel Macron, "Pierre Simonet was indeed a hero: he might refuse this title, he had all the attributes - courage, moral strength, a sense of duty".

"The whole country will remember her courage, her tenacity and her modesty", reacted the Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly and the Deputy Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq.

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.

Emmanuel Macron then telephoned him, thanking him "for the example given" during the war and after.

Hubert Germain, a former legionary, has been a hundred since August 6.

Father of the FFL, Charles De Gaulle had created the Order of the Liberation in November 1940 to "reward the persons or the military and civil communities who will have distinguished themselves in the work of liberation of France and its empire".

The Order was foreclosed in 1946.

Some 1,038 people, including six women, will be awarded the title of Companion of the Liberation, as well as 18 military units and five French municipalities: Nantes, Grenoble, Paris, the martyr village of Vassieux-en-Vercors and the Île de Sein .

It is planned 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.