Jean Herraud was born on March 30, 1925, in central France.
When the Second World War broke out, he saw the way France was occupied and decided to join the Resistance, within which he participated in his first battles in the Cher, till the liberation of Bourges.
It was subsequently at the Royan front that he was promoted to the rank of caporal.
At the very beginning of 1946, the Second World War having end, he volunteered to go and serve in the Far East, within the Colonial troops. Sent to the 22nd RIC, he participated in the Japanese disarmament at Mytho, Baria, as well as in the landings on the Phu-Quoc and Poulo-Condor islands.
In April, he left for Indochina, where he was sent to the RICM, in charge of clearing Hanoi at the cost of bloody battles, during which he was wounded. His first trip ended in Haiphong.
After an interlude in France during which he obtained his parachute licence, Chief Sergeant Herraud was transferred to the 6th BPC. He participated in three jumps during operations in the sector of the RC1, notorious as the "Joyless Street".
During his third trip, he was chanced again to jump five times, including twice on Dien Bien Phu. In 1954, Warrant Officer Herraud exceptionally obtained the category of officer with the rank of second lieutenant. On May 7, he was captured and detained in camp 70, where, without proving his status of officer, he shared, for four months till his liberation, the plight of his men.
In 1955, Lieutenant Herraud left for Algeria where he was sent to the 3rd RPIMa. He participated in several operations and confrontations till 1957.
As from 1961, Jean Herraud served at the Lorient Marines Academy, and then at the Military Headquarters in Paris, at the 8th RPIMa of Castres, and finally, in Africa.
Colonel Herraud ended his military career in Zaire where he held the position of Commander of the Armoured Academy.
Having been wounded four times and received thirteen commendations, including six in the Army order, this exemplary volunteer serviceman was awarded the Great Cross of the Legion of Honour, which is an exceptional dignity for a senior officer. He also held the Second World War cross, the overseas operations cross, the military valour cross and a series of other awards.