Valérie André
Valérie André | |
|---|---|
André in 2014 | |
| Born | 21 April 1922 Strasbourg, France |
| Died | 21 January 2025 (aged 102) Issy-les-Moulineaux, France |
| Allegiance | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Years of service | 1948–1981 |
| Rank | Médecin Général Inspecteur |
| Awards | Légion d'honneur ordre national du Mérite Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 Croix de guerre T.O.E Croix de la Valeur Militaire Médaille commémorative d'Indochine Médaille de l'Aéronautique Croix du Combattant Volontaire Médaille de Vermeil du service de santé |
| Relations | André Santini (nephew) |
Valérie André (French pronunciation: [valeʁi ɑ̃dʁe] ⓘ; 21 April 1922 – 21 January 2025) was a neurosurgeon, aviator, and the first female member of the French military to achieve the rank of General Officer, in 1976, as Physician General. In 1981, she was promoted to Inspector General of Medicine. A helicopter pilot, she is the first woman to have piloted a helicopter in a combat zone. She was also a founding member of the Académie de l'air et de l'espace.
As a member of the military, she was not addressed as "Madame la Générale" (a term reserved for spouses of generals) but as "General".