Jacques Dextraze
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General Jacques Alfred Dextraze, CC, CMM, CBE, DSO, CD, LL.D (August 15, 1919—May 9, 1993) was a Canadian soldier and Chief of the Defence Staff from 1972–1977.
Born in Montreal, Québec, the son of Jacques Dextraze and Armanda (Bond) Dextraze, he joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal in 1940 as a Private, and was soon commissioned to Lieutenant. He studied at Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean Royal Military College of Canada.
In 1942, he married Frances Helena Pare. They had four sons; Richard, Jacques, Robert and John.
In the Northwest Europe campaign he was granted command of his regiment in action and was awarded two Distinguished Service Order for his service in World War II. In 1950 was called back from a civilian career to build, train and command the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, leading it in the Korean war. His battalion won considerable acclaim for its stubborn stand at "Hill 355" when allied troops withdrew, leaving the "Van Doos" surrounded but unshaken.
In 1962, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. In 1963, he was the first Canadian to be Chief Of Staff of the United Nations Forces in the Congo and was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service.
In 1967 he was promoted to Major General and Lieutenant-General in 1968. In 1972, he was promoted to the rank of General and became Chief of Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces for an unusual period of five years.
He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1977 and from 1977 to 1982 was Chairman of the Canadian National Railway.
In 1978 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
[edit] Honours
Dextraze Pavilion, a dining hall at the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean was named in his honour.
[edit] References
Historica Heritage Minute: www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=14745
- Jacques Alfred Dextraze. The Canada Veterans Hall of Valour. Retrieved on March 27, 2005.
| Military Offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frederick Ralph Sharp |
Chief of the Defence Staff 1972-1977 |
Succeeded by Robert Hilborn Falls |
