Jean Victor Allard

General Jean Victor Allard (12 June 1913 – 23 April 1996) was the first French Canadian to become Chief of the Defence Staff, the highest position in the Canadian Forces, from 1966 to 1969. He was also the first to hold the accompanying rank of general.

Military career Allard served as an officer in the Régiment de Trois-Rivières prior to World War II. After the outbreak of war in 1939, he was attested to the Canadian Active Service Force and promoted to the rank of major. When the active component of his regiment was redesignated to become an Anglophone armoured unit, he requested a transfer to the infantry and became the Deputy Commanding Officer of Régiment de la Chaudière in England. In December 1943, he became the Commanding Officer of the Royal 22e Régiment in Italy. and the second in March 1945.

He was the Canadian military attaché in Moscow after the war until 1948 when he was appointed Commander for the East Quebec Area.

Honours

Invested on: November 12, 1968 "Former Chief of the Defence Staff. In recognition of his brilliant military career."

20 January 1945 – awarded first bar as a lieutenant-colonel 10 November 1945 – awarded second bar as a brigadier

As a Companion of the Order of Canada, he is awarded automatically with this medal. 80px 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal 1993 As a Companion of the Order of Canada, he is awarded automatically with this medal. 80px Efficiency Decoration (ED) 1947

The Général-Jean-Victor-Allard Building, the home of the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, was named in honour of General Allard.