Philippe Kieffer

Philippe Kieffer - Born In Haiti - World War II Veteran

Philippe Kieffer - Born In Haiti - World War II Veteran

There are many Haitians World War II Veterans out there... Philippe Kieffer is one of them... Born in Port-au-Prince Haiti, chef des commandos de la France libre (comander of the Free French Forces)

On 6 June 1944, at 0731, the Bérets verts ("Green berets") landed in Ouistreham, Benouville, Amfreville and Bavant, designated as Sword Beach. Philippe Kieffer, recently promoted to capitaine de corvette, led his men personally.

The unit suffered 21 killed and 93 wounded; Kieffer himself was almost immediately wounded twice, hit by shrapnel in the leg, but refused evacuation for two days. Kieffer rejoined his unit on 14 June, in time to take part in the breakthrough towards the Seine and Honfleur. Along with two of his men, he was the first member of the Free French Forces to enter Paris

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