Walter Grand

Walter Jean Tepuatauonini Grand (29 June 1917—6 July 1983) was a French Polynesian soldier and politician who served as president of the Assembly of French Polynesia from 1955 to 1958. He was the first Tahitian decorated for bravery in the Second World War.

Early life and military career

Grand was born in Papeete and was the eldest of three children. His father died when he was 5 years old. Recalled during the general mobilization of September 1939, he was demobilized on 11 August 1940, with the rank of master corporal. In September 1940, he enlisted alongside his younger brother William in the French Liberation Army, He later fought in Italy and Provence before ending the war in Paris with the rank of adjudant.

On 5 May 1946 he returned to his native island aboard the Sagittaire and returned to civilian life. For a few years, he worked in inter-island navigation. On 23 August 1947 he married Charlotte Lévy with whom he had three children.

Political career In 1951 Grand entered local politics, when businessman Tony Bambridge convinced him to become president of a local branch of the Rally of the French People for the 1951 French legislative election. Following a dispute in the Assembly on 10 April, a fight broke out between Noël Ilari and Alfred Poroi. Ilari then challenged Poroi to a duel, which Poroi agreed should take place at the end of the day. Grand was appointed one of Ilari's seconds. The duel ultimately did not occur, after Governor René Petitbon broadcast a radio message forbidding it and stationed police at the homes of the participants.

He contested the 1957 election on a new "France-Tahiti" list, with Gaston Flosse, but was not re-elected. He lost his position as a Minister when the French colonial government dissolved Oopa's government following the 1958 French Polynesian constitutional referendum.

He died in Papeete on 6 July 1983 and is buried in Urania Cemetery.

Successive ranks in the French army

Master Corporal: August 11, 1940 Sergeant: January 1, 1941 Chief sergeant Warrant Officer: October 18, 1944

Honors

Grand was nominated for the Order of Liberation at the end of the war, but did not receive it. He was instead proposed for the Military Medal and the Resistance Medal, with which he was decorated in 1946.