René Morel (1908-1974) was a Général de division of the French Army and Commandant of the Foreign Legion. Military career René was called for service at the 158th Infantry Regiment (), on 15 October 1929. Admitted to follow the course of reserve officer candidates of the special military school (), he was nominated as reserve Sous-lieutenant in October 1930. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1932. He subscribed an engagement of one year at the 152nd Infantry Regiment () with the rank of Sergent (Sergeant). Authorized to serve in situation activity, he resigned from his rank and integrated the Saint-Maixent Infantry and Combat Tank Military School (). He was nominated as an active Sous-lieutenant, in October 1933. He was assigned to the 6th company, then the CAI, and at last to the 2nd company of the 35th Infantry Regiment () at Belfort. In February 1939, he joined the mounted company of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI at Sidi bel-Abbes. Designated to be part of the 13th Light Mountain Demi-Brigade of the French Foreign Legion of the expeditionary corps of Norway, he combat engaged at Bjervick and at Narvik in quality as a section chief () of the machine gun company. He was cited. In England, he decided to pursue combat and rallied to général Charles de Gaulle, where he joined the Free French Forces with his unit. He followed the tracks of the 14th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion 14e DBLE then the 13th Demi-Brigade of Foreign Legion 13e DBLE at Dakar, Cameroun, then participated to the campaign of Eretria at the head of the 2nd company which he assumed the commandment. He distinguished himself during the course of opening violent combats. Wounded by a bullet during combats for the apprehension of Cheren, he refused to be evacuated as long as his unit was not relieved. He was evacuated to the French hospital of Cairo. From January 1942 to May 1943, he combat engaged in Libya, Cyrenaica, Tripoli and at Bir Hakeim. On 27 May 1942 the strong hold point which he was commanding received the principal shock attack of 70 tanks. A part of these tanks penetrated his position and fired all the way in, reaching his command post. In response, the attack was halted by the artillery cannon firings of his company, with 32 tanks destroyed and very heavy losses inflicted on the