Valérie André, a pioneering French aviator and parachutist, who made history as the first female general officer in France, has passed away at the age of 102. The announcement of her death on January 21 was made by the French presidency and the ministry of armies.
With a degree in medicine, André took to the skies as a teenager, merging her love for aviation with her medical expertise to serve in the military. She had notable deployments in Indochina and later in Algeria, showcasing her courage and commitment to her responsibilities.
The French presidency recognized her dedication, noting, “Despite facing danger, fatigue, extreme conditions, and the intense pressure of life-or-death situations, Valérie André embraced her tasks with passion, remaining closely connected to the soldiers she supported.” To enhance her support for troops, she pursued training as a helicopter pilot and quickly accumulated an impressive flight record, conducting numerous casualty evacuations primarily in the Vietnamese conflict and later in Algeria.
André, affectionately dubbed “Madame Ventilator,” was deployed to the war during the French occupation of Indochina, serving as a medical captain. She first worked at the My Tho hospital in 1949 before becoming a neurosurgery assistant in Saigon. It was during this period that she undertook her initial military parachute jumps, enabling her to assist injured personnel in remote areas.
After the conclusion of the Algerian War, André returned to France, continuing her path as a medical officer while championing the advancement of women within the military, thus influencing greater inclusion. She achieved the historical milestone of becoming the first woman in France to attain the rank of general officer, ultimately earning the prestigious title of Inspector General of the Army Medical Corps, adorned with three stars.