Paul-Frédéric Rollet

Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a French Army Général who led in the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion RMLE, and was the 1st Inspector of the Foreign Legion, a post which he created under his intentions.

Early life He was born in Auxerre, France and was admitted to the military school at Saint-Cyr in 1894. Upon graduation, he was initially assigned to the 91st Infantry Regiment but was later transferred to the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE in Sidi-bel-Abbes, Algeria.

Military career Rollet served first in Algeria from 1899 to 1902, then in Madagascar from 1902 to 1905, prior to returning to Algeria from 1905 to 1909. Promoted to captain in March 1909, he commanded the 3rd mounted combat company of the 1st marching battalion of the 2nd Foreign Regiment, 2e R.E from 1909 to 1914.

While World War I erupted, Rollet was on leave in France. Insisting to be on the front, he was assigned to the 31st Line Infantry Regiment , then to the 331 Infantry Regiment . Wounded twice, he was promoted by delegation to Chef de bataillon (Commandant – Major), based on the recommendation of général Henri Joseph Eugène Gouraud. Following several victories, he was confirmed as a Chef de battalion.

On 18 May 1917 he was assigned to the Foreign Legion and became the regimental commander of the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) as a lieutenant-colonel. Under his command, the regiment covered itself with excellence during combats of Hangard-en-Santerre, La Montagnde de Paris, then in piercing the Hindenburg Line, a combat battle which would later be designated as the anniversary of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e REI, heir to the traditions of the R.M.L.E. The regimental colors of the R.M.L.E were subsequently decorated with four new citations (with five previous citations already) as well as the double Fourragere, with colors of the Légion d'honneur and Croix de guerre. At the end of the war of 1914–1918, he participated in campaigns in Morocco with his regiment, which would be designated as the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e REI.

Consequently, Rollet was promoted to colonel. In 1925, he assumed command as regimental commander of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1e RE at Sidi-Bel-Abbès. He would remain until planning the 100th anniversary (the centennial) of the French Foreign Legion on Cameron day of 30 April 1931.

On 1 April 1931 Rollet assumed command tenure as the 1st Inspector of the Foreign Legion, a post which he specifically created under his intentions. The legion always maintained an institutional reputation of legendary and honorable values. Recognitions and honors Général Rollet's awards include:

List of decorations Orders, decorations, and medals of France Grand officer de la Légion d'honneur Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with 7 palms and gilt star Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures with 2 palms Médaille commémorative du Maroc with clasps : OUDJA-MAROC-HAUT-GUIR Médaille coloniale with 4 clasps: SAHARA-MAROC-ALGÉRIE-MADAGASCAR Croix du combattant 1914–1918 Inter-Allied Victory medal (France) Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914-1918 Chevalier de l'ordre du Mérite agricole (1911) Commemorative medal of the battle of Verdun (medal non-official) Commemorative medal of the battle of the Somme

Orde, decorations and Foreign medals Commander of the Order of the Crown (Romania) (1917) Recipient of the Spanish Red Cross of Military Merit 1920 Commander of the Order of Prince Danilo I (Montenegro – 1917) Commander of the Order of Civil Merit (Spain – 1930) Commander of the Order of the Oak Crown (Luxembourg – 1931) Grand officer of the Order of Order of Ouissam Alaouite (1931) Grand officer of the Order of Nichan Iftikhar (1931) Grand officer of the Order of Saint-Charles (Principality of Monaco 1931) Grand-cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia 14 November 1936 Grand Cross of Military Merit with red decoration (Spain – 1925) Officier de l'Ordre chérifien du Ouissan hafidien (1911) Royal Order of Monisaraphon, (1936)