Phillis “Pippa” Doyle gets France’s highest award
93-year-old Phillis “Pippa” Doyle was awarded France’s highest honor, the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, or Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour for her heroics during the Second World War preparing the way for Allied forces to invade France. Now, a resident of New Zealand, she was presented the award by the French Ambassador. She joined the war effort when a relative was killed by the Germans. From AFP;
She spoke fluent French and on May 1, 1944, was parachuted into Normandy under the code name “Paulette”, where she spied on German troops and sent coded messages back to London.
“Pippa stands out as a formidable example for younger and older generations alike,” Contini said.
“At the age of 21, she decided to join the resistance movement in a foreign country, held dangerous positions and undertook perilous missions to prepare the grounds for the allied troops to march on.
“I have deep admiration for her bravery and her unshakable commitment to ending the war and it will be with great honour that I present her with the award of Chevalier de l’ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest decoration.”
Thanks to T Breezy for the link.
Category: Real Soldiers
Over the years, we usually only hear about these quiet Heroes (and yes, we do still have a few left!) after they have died – in self-chosen obscurity… So I am thrilled that Ms Doyle is still around to receive this honour.
Thank you for your Service, Ma’am….
Word … and AIRBORNE, Pippa!
Well, isn’t she just the most adorable and beautiful lady!!
Thank you for your service Ma’am!
“…parachuted into Normandy under the code name “Paulette”, where she spied on German troops and sent coded messages back to London.”
Q: Damn. Where does she keep her balls?
A: Anywhere she WANTS.
😀 😀
Kudos Madame
Hardcore.
Well deserved, my lady.
You have set the example.
The remarkable thing about this woman is that for the longest time, she never talked about her deeds, and only 15 years ago mentioned them to her family. She was one of those ‘quiet’ ones who never bragged about what she did.
These men and women took huge risks with their lives. I salute you.
A little something interesting … there was an SOE agent code name Paulette, real name Diana Rowden, who was flown into France earlier. She was courier to the Acrobat circuit. She and Young were betrayed and picked up by the Germans. She was executed at the Natzweiler concentration camp in Alsace in July 1944. Source is “SOE in France” by MRD Foot.
Damn, Pippa! You are one for the books!
Sandwiching her service stars are the MBE [Member, Order of the Empire] and the F
Wow!!
British Parachutist Badge
1. MBE [military grade]Member grade, Order of the British Empire [this is a big deal]
2. 1939-45 Star
3. France and Germany Star
4. 1939-45 Defense Medal
5. War Medal 1939-45
Wow!
6. French Croix de Guerre with Palme.
Forgive the formatting problems …. too much turkey.
And she survived. Not many did.
Well done, ma’am.
Love her sweater. I wonder if Code Pink minds. I hope so.
Oh. One other thing. Her hair. I can’t help but wonder whether Don Shipley’s hair is related to hers.
There appears to be a small error in this story: From what I’ve learned, Pippa Doyle’s” code name” was actually “Genevieve”, not “Paulette”. Her father was French (Phyllis’s maiden name was Latour), which is most likely where she learned to speak French fluently.
“Paulette” was the code name of a different operative: Diana Rowden, who was unfortunately captured and did not survive.