Marc Monchal

French Army general (1935–2020)

Marc Monchal

Portrait of Marc Monchal

Born| 27 August 1935
Die, France
Died| 12 November 2020(2020-11-12) (aged 85)
Allegiance|  France
Service/branch| Army
Years of service| 1954–1996
Rank| General
Unit| 24th Artillery Regiment
Commands held| 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment
Battles/wars| Algerian War
Yugoslav Wars
Awards| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
Cross for Military Valour
Combatant's Cross
North Africa Security and Order Operations Commemorative Medal
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Alma mater| École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr

Marc Monchal (27 August 1935 – 12 November 2020) was a French army general. In addition to his status as an army general, he served as Chief of Staff of the French Army from 17 April 1991 to 27 August 1996 after having been Head of the Minister of Defence's military cabinet from 17 April 1989 to 17 May 1991.

## Biography[edit]

At the age of one, Monchal lost his father. His mother worked as a grocer during his youth.[1] He was admitted to the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1954 and he chose to serve in the artillery. He then attended the École d’application de l’Artillerie in Metz.

Monchal served in the Algerian War in the 24th Artillery Regiment, then in the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment, where he was promoted to brigadier general in June 1984.[2]

In April 1989, Minister of Armed Forced Jean-Pierre Chevènement named Monchal Head of the Minister of Defence's military cabinet, succeeding Jacques Lanxade.[3] In April 1991, he accepted the position of Chief of Staff of the French Army, leaving his previous post to Jean Rannou.[4] During his tenure as head of the French Army, he led France through the Yugoslav Wars and the Rwandan genocide. In 1996, the year he turned 61, he retired from the Army and left his position to Philippe Mercier.[5] During his tenure, he created the Cellule d’aide aux blessés de l’armée de Terre, founded in 1993.[6]

From 17 October 1996 to 17 October 2001, he served on the Conseiller d'État.[7] Marc Monchal died on 12 November 2020 at the age of 85.[8]

## Decorations[edit]

* Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (2015)[9] (Grand Officer in 1995, Commander in 1991)[10]
* Cross for Military Valour
* Combatant's Cross
* North Africa Security and Order Operations Commemorative Medal
* Médaille de la jeunesse, des sports et de l'engagement associatif
* Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

## References[edit]

1. ^ "La mort du général Monchal, ancien chef d'état-major de l'armée de terre". L'Opinion (in French). 13 November 2020.
2. ^ "Marc Monchal, 61 ans, chef d'état-major de l'armée de terre, part en retraite. Avec lui, la génération de la dernière guerre française, celle d'Algérie, s'en va. Le der des der". Libération (in French). 22 August 1996.
3. ^ "Marc Monchal". Nominations au Journal officiel de la République française (in French).
4. ^ "Le général Monchal nouveau chef d'état-major de l'armée de terre". Le Monde (in French). 4 April 1991.
5. ^ "Philippe Mercier". Les Echos (in French). 7 August 1996.
6. ^ "Décès du général Marc Monchal, chef d'état-major de l'armée de Terre de 1991 à 1996". opex360.com (in French). 13 November 2020.
7. ^ "Décret du 17 octobre 1996 portant nomination de conseillers d'Etat en service extraordinaire". LégiFrance (in French). 19 October 1996.
8. ^ "Tarbes – Mort du général Monchal : l'hommage du 35e RAP à son ancien chef de Corps". La Semaine (in French). 13 November 2020.
9. ^ "Décret du 30 avril 2015 portant élévation et nomination à la dignité de grand'croix et de grand officier". LégiFrance (in French). 3 May 2015.
10. ^ "ORDRE DE LA LEGION D'HONNEUR Décret du 30 juin 1995 portant élévation à la dignité de grand officier". LégiFrance (in French). 2 July 1995.