Jacques Dextraze

Infobox Military Person
name=Jacques Alfred Dextraze


caption=
rank=General
branch=
commands=
battles=World War II (Canadian Army)
family=Frances Helena Pare. They had four sons; Richard, Jacques, Robert and John
nickname=
allegiance=Canada
lived=
placeofbirth=Montreal, Quebec
placeofdeath=Montreal, Quebec
serviceyears=1940-1977
portrayedby=
laterwork=Chairman of the Canadian National Railways
awards=CC, CMM, CBE, DSO, CD, LL.D
General Jacques Alfred Dextraze, CC, CMM, CBE, DSO, CD (August 15, 1919—May 9, 1993) was a Canadian soldier and Chief of the Defence Staff from 1972–1977.

Education

Born in Montreal, Québec, the son of Jacques Dextraze and Armanda (Bond) Dextraze, he joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal in 1940 as a Private, and was soon commissioned to Lieutenant. He studied at Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean Royal Military College of Canada.

In 1942, he married Frances Helena Pare. They had four sons; Richard, Jacques, Robert and John.

Military Service

In the Northwest Europe campaign he was granted command of his regiment in action and was awarded two Distinguished Service Order for his service in World War II. In 1950 he was called back from a civilian career to build, train and command the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22^e Régiment, leading it in the Korean War. His battalion won considerable acclaim for its stubborn stand at "Hill 355" when allied troops withdrew, leaving the "Van Doos" surrounded but unshaken.

In 1962, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

In 1963, he was the first Canadian to be Chief Of Staff of the United Nations Forces in the Congo and was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service. Brigadier-General Jacques Dextraze of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force led missions to rescue group of Non Governmental Organization personnel, who were hostages of Katangan rebels in the Congo. He was one of Canada’s most distinguished peacekeeping commanders.

In 1967 he was promoted to Major General and Lieutenant-General in 1968. In 1972, he was promoted to the rank of General and became Chief of Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces for an unusual period of five years.

Civilian career

He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1977 and from 1977 to 1982 was Chairman of the Canadian National Railway.

Honours

In 1978 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.Dextraze Pavilion, a dining hall at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean was named in his honour.

References

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