Jean-Louis Georgelin (30 August 1948 – 18 August 2023) was a French Army General who was Chief of the Defence Staff ("Chef d'état-major des armées", CEMA) between 4 October 2006 and 25 February 2010. From 9 June 2010 until 2016 he served as Great Chancellor of the French national order, the Légion d'honneur.
On 17 April 2019, Georgelin was appointed special representative to oversee the reconstruction of Notre-Dame-de-Paris after it was severely damaged by fire, and continued in this role until his death.
Biography
After nine years at the Prytanée National Militaire, Georgelin joined Saint-Cyr in 1967. As a lieutenant, he was Chef de Section (Platoon Commander) at the École d'application de l'infanterie (Infantry School) from 1975 to 1976, responsible for the training of non-commissioned officers. He served with the 153rd infantry regiment as a Captain.
From 1985 to 1988, as a Lieutenant-colonel, he was in charge of a class at Saint-Cyr (promotion Cadets de la France Libre). He then served at the chief of staff of the Army at the financial department from 1988 to 1991. He was aide to the chief of cabinet of the Prime Minister from 1994 to 1997. From 1998 and 2002 he served at the general staff of the Army, directing the "plans, programmes and evaluations" division.
On 18 August 2023, Georgelin died after falling off a mountain during an alpine hike.[3][4] His body was discovered at Mont Valier peak in the Pyrenees mountains straddling the France-Spain border.[4][5] Georgelin was 74, and his death was ruled as having likely been due to an accident.[5]
Jean-Louis Georgelin
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French Army
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