|
|
| |
| |
Medal of Freedom Recipient Genevieve de Galard-Terraube
President Eisenhower awarding the Medal of Freedom to French Nurse Genevieve De Galard-Terraube the Angel of Dien Bien Phu during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on July 29, 1954 in Washington, DC.
Citation Accompanying the Medal of Freedom Presented to Genevieve de Galard- Terraube
July 29, 1954
THE PRESIDENT of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order, July 6, 1945, has awarded the Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm, to Mademoiselle Genevieve de Galard-Terraube, French Airborne Nurse, for meritorious service.
MEDAL OF FREEDOM (WITH BRONZE PALM)
Mademoiselle Genevieve de Galard-Terraube, French Airborne Nurse, by her ministrations to the sick and wounded at Dien Bien Phu, inspired and heartened the entire free world. Her service to her comrades, marked by the courage of a woman in battle and by the devotion of a nurse to her sworn duty, has been unsurpassed in this century. Her supreme fortitude in hours of peril, her unfaltering dedication to her mission reflected the greatness of spirit manifested on many fields, in many centuries, by the soldiers of France.
The Republic she serves so nobly has been an ally of the United States for 178 years. The continuing friendship between the peoples of the two Republics is symbolized today in their joined salute to Mademoiselle de Galard-Terraube. Her service at Dien Bien Phu reflects great credit upon herself and her country and the cause of freedom around the world.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
NOTE: The award was made by the President in his office. Among those present were Ambassador Henri Bonnet and Mme. Bonnet, and Mrs. Eisenhower.
US Lt. Genevieve de Galard-Terraube, "The Angel of Dien Bien Phu," was the honored guest of the US Congress. She was presented with the Distinguished Service in the Profession of Nursing by the American Nurses Association. It read as follows: "For her heroic devotion to the sick and wounded soldiers at Dien Bien Phu which has stirred the respect of all citizens and for her faithful adherence to duty as a volunteer for services and as a nurses through which she has symbolized and dramatized for all the free world, the high precepts of the nursing profession."
March 28, 1954(24th day of the 2nd month, Year of the Horse [Giap Ngo]) : Dien Bien Phu: 0600 The fort begins a massive rolling artillery barrage at five-minute intervals against the western flak positions at Ban Ban and Ban Ong Pet, while two battalions head out, one towards each position. At 0615, half of the artillery fire begins to concentrate on the frontage of one battalion and the other half, on the other battalion's frontage. A tank platoon is standing by in support, and Air Force fighters are on call as of 0630 to seal off the battlefield and pin down the Viet Minh reserves. The planes are delayed until 0900 because of weather, but are quite effective. Enemy resistance around Ban Ong Pet is stiff enough temporarily to pin down the French battalion attacking it. The tank platoon is called in and slams into the southern flank of the Communist position. Two tanks are slightly damaged by bazooka fire, but by 1500 the fight is over and the Viet Minh are retreating in disorder, leaving behind the bodies of 350 of their comrades, as well as five intact 20mm AA cannon, 12 .50 caliber AA machine guns, two bazookas, 14 automatic rifles and hundreds of other weapons. French losses are 24 KIA and 86 WIA. There aren't enough troops to hold and defend the conquered ground, though, especially as it's overshadowed by the hills behind it and soon after 1500 Bigeard gives the order to withdraw to the main line of resistance. Elsewhere at the fortress, Huguette 7's commander is seriously wounded and the two northern Huguette's are still pressured by enemy trenches. At 1300, an ambulance aircraft that had been repaired as time allowed during the assault is hit and destroyed just before its cargo of 25 wounded can be loaded aboard. The crew escapes but they and the Women's Air Force nurse aboard, Genevieve de Galard-Terraube, will not get another opportunity to leave during the rest of the siege.
President Eisenhower shaking hands with French Air Force Nurse Genevieve De Galard-Terraube after presenting her with the Medal of Freedom for her service in the Korean War at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on July 30, 1954 in Washington, DC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medal History
