Heba Press/WMA
Today, Thursday, Larbi Jawa (98 years old), a Moroccan veteran who participated in the Second World War and the Indochina War, was decorated with the Legion of Honor, Knight class, by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.
President Macron said at the awards ceremony held at the Boulouris National Cemetery in Saint-Raphaël on the occasion of the eightieth anniversary of the landing in Provence: “Mr. Larbi Jawa, on behalf of the French Republic, I award you the Order of the Legion of Honor, Knight Class.
Mr. Jawa was accompanied at this ceremony by his comrade in arms, Abdullah Jaber (103 years old), who received the Legion of Honor in 2014.
Mr. Jawa said in a statement to the Arab Maghreb News Agency: “I am very proud and very honored to receive this well-deserved medal,” adding: “We have overcome many difficulties for this.”
This ceremony took place in the presence of the heads of state and government of the countries that fought alongside the Allies to liberate France during the Second World War (1939-1945), including Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who represented His Majesty King Mohammed VI at this ceremony.
Larbi Jawa, born in Khénifra, joined the ranks of the army on February 4, 1943, at the age of 18. Since December of the same year, he participated in the Italian campaign, where he distinguished himself at Monte Cassino, and demonstrated remarkable composure and courage, for which he was rewarded with the Order of the Major General.
After the Second World War, from June 14, 1950, he was re-enlisted in the sixth regiment of Moroccan archers and participated twice in the Indochina war. During the terrible fighting of the RC4, he was seriously wounded in the Dong-khi region, but he nevertheless continued to exercise his functions. Then he returned in a second campaign in Indochina from June 7, 1953 to June 22, 1955.
Larbi Jawa, promoted to the rank of sergeant on April 1, 1955, ended his service in 1956 and returned to his hometown.
