09 5 / 2012

May 9, 1993: Canadian soldier and former Chief of the Defence Staff Jacques Dextraze dies in Montreal. Dextraze was born in Montreal in 1919, and joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal in 1940 as a Private. He served in World War II and was awarded two Distinguished Service Orders.  In 1950, he ended a civilian career to build, train and command the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment in the Korean War. The battalion made a stand at Hill 355 and was surrounded by North Korean troops, but left unshaken.  In 1963, Dextraze was the first Canadian to be Chief of Staff of the United Nations Forces in the Republic of the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service. During his time in the Congo, he led missions to rescue non-governmental organization personnel, who had been taken hostage by rebels in the Katanga province. He was made the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces in 1972, and held the position for five years, which is unusual. In 1977, he retired from the Canadian Forces, and was the chairman of the Canadian National Railway from 1977 to 1982. A year after retiring, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

May 9, 1993:

Canadian soldier and former Chief of the Defence Staff Jacques Dextraze dies in Montreal.

Dextraze was born in Montreal in 1919, and joined Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal in 1940 as a Private. He served in World War II and was awarded two Distinguished Service Orders. 

In 1950, he ended a civilian career to build, train and command the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment in the Korean War. The battalion made a stand at Hill 355 and was surrounded by North Korean troops, but left unshaken. 

In 1963, Dextraze was the first Canadian to be Chief of Staff of the United Nations Forces in the Republic of the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service. During his time in the Congo, he led missions to rescue non-governmental organization personnel, who had been taken hostage by rebels in the Katanga province.

He was made the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces in 1972, and held the position for five years, which is unusual. In 1977, he retired from the Canadian Forces, and was the chairman of the Canadian National Railway from 1977 to 1982. A year after retiring, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

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