As one of those young men who felt cowering was not the best reaction to defeat, Robert CADIEUX decided to become a volunteer serviceman as early as 1940. In February 1941, he went to Morocco and joined the prestigious RICM before participating in the Provence landing and the German Campaign within the ranks of the 6th RTS. His stayed in Indochina for the first time from 1945 to 1948, within the 6th RIC.
Upon returning to Metropolitan France, he joined the parachute corps and made a second trip to Indochina, from 1949 to 1951, within the 1st BCCP, wherein he participated in operations in Cambodia, Cochin Chine, Annam and Tonkin. In 1957, having risen to the rank of officer, he was seriously wounded as he lead his section during an airborne operation of the 4th BCCP in the Mauritanian region of Atar. Upon recovery, he went to Algeria within the 2nd RPIMa.
Lieutenant Colonel CADIEUX was a passionate patriot, proud of his “Marsouin” and “Para” status. Meanwhile, despite being a soldier he still cherished the sacred relationships of family, friendship and human solidarity. As a volunteer, Robert CADIEUX sometimes disregarded the soldier’s age-old virtue: Courage, Discipline and Respect. He experienced how choosing “in good faith” can make one refute what one had always stood for in the name of Honour and Loyalty to one’s Fatherland.
Robert CADIEUX, who died in 2007, was officer of the Legion of Honour, officer of the National Order of Merit, and holder of the Military medal, World War II Cross (1 bronze star), Overseas Operations Cross (1 distinction and 2 vermeil stars), Military Valour Cross (1 distinction), Volunteer Servicemen Cross, Combatant Cross. He was wounded twice on the battlefield, and once during an attack in Hanoi.
Robert Cadieux 
