Valérie André, the first woman to achieve the rank of general officer in France, has died at 102, according to the French presidency and the ministry of armies. André's career was distinguished by her dual expertise in aviation and medicine, which she utilized as a military doctor during conflicts in Indochina and Algeria.
Known as "Madame Ventilator," André began her service as a medical captain during the French occupation of Indochina in 1949, where she played a crucial role in aiding wounded soldiers. She was initially based at the My Tho hospital and later served as a neurosurgery assistant in Saigon, performing her first military parachute jumps to reach isolated areas.
Her dedication to supporting soldiers led her to train as a helicopter pilot. The French presidency noted that "despite the danger, exhaustion, harsh conditions, and the life-or-death pressure that permeated this environment—or perhaps precisely because of these challenges—Valérie André developed a passion for this extreme mission, staying as close as possible to the soldiers she served."
story continues below
André once expressed her commitment thusly: "There are no perilous missions, only missions that must be accomplished at all costs, because human life is at stake," as reported by the ministry of armies. Following the Algeria War, André advocated for greater inclusion of women in the military, eventually becoming the first French woman to attain the three-star rank of Inspector General of the Army Medical Corps. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
