In brief
Dr. Valérie André, who made history as the first woman to fly rescue missions in combat and as the first female general in the French Army, passed away on January 21 at the age of 102. Her exceptional career included serving as a brain surgeon, a parachutist, and flying combat missions in Indochina.
In 1932, at just 10 years old, André’s aspirations ignited when she met famed aviator Maryse Hilsz. Inspired, she pursued her dreams relentlessly. Over her lifetime, she completed 120 combat missions in Indochina during the 1950s, often extracting both wounded French soldiers and enemy combatants. Her contributions earned her five Croix de Guerre medals for valour. Her achievements broke barriers in a predominantly male field. A spokesperson for the French Ministry of Defense emphasized her pivotal role in promoting opportunities for women in military aviation. André passed away in Issy-les-Moulineaux, and her influence continues to resonate within the armed forces.
