In brief
Valérie André, known for her extraordinary achievements in the military and medical fields, passed away at the age of 102. She distinguished herself as the first woman to fly rescue missions in combat for France and held the rank of general in the army, leaving behind a legacy of courage and dedication.
Valérie André, a trailblazer in the fields of both aviation and military medicine, passed away on January 21 at the age of 102 in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a suburb of Paris. Notable for her remarkable contributions, André was the first Frenchwoman to pilot helicopter rescue missions in active combat zones and to attain the rank of army general.Born in 1932, André's aspirations began at a young age when she met acclaimed aviator Maryse Hilsz at a local airfield. Despite the societal limitations placed on women during her upbringing, André pursued her dual dreams of becoming a doctor and a pilot—a pursuit she embraced with both passion and grit.André’s military career took off during the 1950s when she flew over 120 combat missions in the challenging terrains of Indochina, bravely extracting wounded soldiers from perilous battlefields. Her efforts in these dangerous settings earned her the prestigious Croix de Guerre honor five times for her exceptional valor while working tirelessly to promote gender equality in the armed forces.In recognition of her significant contributions, André was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by then-President Jacques Chirac in 2000, underscoring her remarkable legacy as a pioneer for women in the military.With her passing, André leaves a legacy inspired by determination and groundbreaking achievements that paved the way for future generations of female pilots and military personnel. The French Ministry of Defense honored her memory, highlighting the impact she made in breaking barriers and encouraging women to pursue opportunities previously deemed inaccessible.
