The German Shepherd of a French soldier killed in Lebanon decorated by the army

An image of Ros, the German Shepherd who accompanied Sergeant Anicet Girardin on missions and died after an ambush in Lebanon, was awarded the cross of Military Valor with a bronze star during a national tribute to the fallen military on April 26.

The dog has since been retired and has now rejoined his family, according to his regiment. Anicet Girardin is survived by his partner, also a member of the 132nd RIC, and a two-year-old son.

The ceremony, held at the 132nd Cynotechnical Infantry Regiment in Suippes to which Anicet Girardin belonged, was attended by the Minister of Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Pierre Schill.

“The nation bows before Sergeant Anicet Girardin (…), the 145th to die for France in Lebanon since 1978,” said Catherine Vautrin. She paid tribute to him as a man “conscientious, discreet, of absolute reliability” and who was “appreciated by all.”

“You will forever remain an example of courage, loyalty, and honor,” she added. During the ceremony, the soldier posthumously received the Military Medal, the cross of Military Valor with a bronze palm, and was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Promoted Sergeant Posthumously

Anicet Girardin joined the 132nd Cynotechnical Infantry Regiment in Suippes in 2016, specializing in aiding in the search and detection of explosives. The Corporal-Chief, promoted posthumously to Sergeant, had been deployed since January 23 in southern Lebanon as assistant group leader for explosive detection within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On April 18, during a reconnaissance mission to resupply an isolated post of UN peacekeepers, his patrol “was attacked by an armed group,” his regiment explained. This attack resulted in the death of Sergeant Florian Montorio and the injury of three soldiers, including Anicet Girardin, who came to aid his commander and succumbed to his injuries last Wednesday after being repatriated to France.

French authorities and the UN have attributed the attack to the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, which has denied any involvement. The death of Anicet Girardin “highlights the tribute that France pays, its role and responsibility, particularly in the context of UNIFIL where it has been for decades,” said Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Andorra on Tuesday.

“We expect a clear condemnation of the authors of this attack, and above all that the proceedings are conducted as they should be. But France can be proud of the role it plays in Lebanon and for peace,” added the President.