Larbi Jawa, a 98-year-old Moroccan veteran of World War II and the Indochina War, was named a “Knight of the Legion of Honor” by French President Emmanuel Macron, in a solemn ceremony on Thursday.
The event took place at the Boulouris National Necropolis in Saint-Raphaël, in the presence of world leaders, including a Moroccan delegation that represented King Mohammed VI.
Macron bestowed the prestigious honor, saying, “Larbi Jawa, on behalf of the French Republic, I make you a Knight of the Legion of Honor.”
Jawa, visibly moved, expressed his deep pride, stating: “We have endured many trials to earn this honor.”
Born in Khénifra, northern Morocco, Jawa enlisted in the military on February 4, 1943, at the age of 18.
By December of the same year, he was already participating in the brutal Italian campaign, where he distinguished himself at Monte Cassino with remarkable composure and bravery, earning a citation under the brigade’s orders.
After World War II, Jawa re-enlisted on June 14, 1950, with the sixth Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment and fought in the Indochina War, a conflict marked by severe hardship and injustice.
The war, often described as miserable and unfair, saw Vietnamese forces defending their land from French colonial rule. Despite their determination, the Vietnamese faced brutal conditions and overwhelming odds.
During the harrowing battles of RC4 (Route Coloniale 4), Jawa was severely wounded in the Dong-Khé region but continued to fulfill his duties.
He returned for a second tour in Indochina from June 7, 1953, to June 22, 1955. Promoted to Sergeant on April 1, 1955, Jawa completed his military service in 1956 and returned to his hometown.
The war represented a tragic and unjust chapter in the history of Vietnam, where the local population fought valiantly for their freedom against a foreign power attempting to maintain its colonial grip.