Jean Sassi

Jean Sassi
Jean Sassi in 1944
Born	11 June 1917 Tunis, Tunisia
Died	9 January 2009 Eaubonne, France
Allegiance	France
Service/branch	French Army
Years of service	1938-1971
Rank	Colonel
Unit	Jedburgh Force 136 GCMA
Battles/wars	World War II First Indochina War Algerian War
Awards	Commander of the Légion d'honneur Croix de guerre 1939-1945 Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures

Jean Sassi (11 June 1917 – 9 January 2009) was a French Army colonel and intelligence service officer, former "Jedburgh" (BCRA) of France and Far East. Commando chief of the SDECE's 11th Shock Parachutist Regiment (11e Régiment Parachutiste de Choc). Maquis chief in French Indochina through the GCMA (1953–1955).

During the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in April 1954 Jean Sassi led Mèo partisans (GCMA) in Operation Condor.

Honours and awards

• Commander of the Legion of Honour
• Croix de Guerre 1939-1945
• Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures
• Croix de la Valeur Militaire
• Croix du combattant volontaire 1939–1945
• Medal of the Order of a Million Elephants and White Parasol

See also

• Operation Jedburgh
• Groupement de Commandos Mixtes Aéroportés

References

• Jean Sassi's obituary (French)

Video archive

• Jean Sassi and his Hmong troops in Laos, Official video published by the French Ministry of Defense