Joseph Simon Galliéni

Born Apr. 24, 1849, in St. Béat, Haute-Garonne; died May 27, 1916, in Versailles. Marshal of France (title conferred posthumously, 1921).

After completing his studies at the military school at St. Cyr in 1870, Galliéni participated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Subsequently he held administrative posts in French colonies of Africa and Indochina. From 1896 to 1905, Galliéni served as governor-general in Madagascar and then commanded a corps in France. He retired from the military in 1913 but in August 1914 returned to active service and was appointed military governor of Paris. In September 1914, Galliéni proposed that a blow be struck at the flanks of the German armies from the direction of Paris. He organized the transfer of General J. Maunoury’s Sixth Army for an attack that played a significant role in the Battle of the Marne of 1914. From October 1915 to March 1916, Galliéni was minister of war.