He is considered the liberator of France from the occupying Germans force in Normandy in 1944. Born in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) on October 24, 1899 and died in Cormeilles-Parisis November 20, 1962, is an officer of the French Navy and Companion of the Liberation.
During World War II, he created and directed the first French navy commandos, known as Commando Kieffer; one of the first units – and the only French unit formed — who landed on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944. He participated in the capture of Colleville before its junction with the British paratroopers at Pegasus Bridge. After the Normandy campaign , he fought in Belgium and the Netherlands, for the liberation of Europe . He is considered the founder of the French “Green Berets.” The sixth French navy commando, founded in 2008 , bears his name.
Philippe Kieffer a son of Haiti , where he was married and had two children. He was the Director of the National Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BNRH) and one of the first secretaries of the Chamber of Commerce and Franco- Haitian industry for several years and an advisor to ministry of foreign affairs.
His son Claude , born in Petion-ville , who had joined the Resistance in Paris died at age 21, shot by the Gestapo. His father learned of his death three days before marching at the head of his troops in the streets of liberated Paris.
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