“Mr. Larbi Jawa, on behalf of the French Republic, I make you a Knight of the Legion of Honor,” declared President Macron during the decoration ceremony, organized at the national necropolis of Boulouris in Saint-Raphaël, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Landing in Provence.
He was accompanied at this ceremony by his brother-in-arms Abdellah Jaber, 103 years old, decorated in 2014 with the Legion of Honor.
“I am very proud and deeply honored to receive this decoration. We have richly deserved it,” Mr. Jawa told MAP.
“We went through a lot to get it,” he added.
This memorial sequence took place in the presence of heads of state and government of countries that fought alongside the Allies for the liberation of France during the Second World War (39-45), including the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, who represented His Majesty King Mohammed VI at this ceremony.
Born in Khénifra, Larbi Jawa enlisted on February 4, 1943 at the age of 18. In December of the same year, he took part in the harsh Italian campaign where he distinguished himself at Monte Cassino, demonstrating remarkable composure and courage, which were rewarded with a citation in the brigade’s orders.
At the end of the Second World War and from June 14, 1950, he re-enlisted in the 6th Moroccan Rifle Regiment and participated twice in the Indochina War. During the terrible fighting of the RC4, he was seriously injured in the Dong-Khé region, continuing despite everything to carry out his missions. He then left for a 2nd stay in Indochina from June 7, 1953 to June 22, 1955.
Promoted to Sergeant on April 1, 1955, Larbi Jawa completed his service in 1956 and returned to his hometown.
2024-09-25 04:04:26