Marie-Pierre Kœnig

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Marie Joseph Pierre François Kœnig (also Pierre Kœnig or Koenig; 10 October 1898 – 2 September 1970) was a French general who most notably commanded a Free French brigade at the Battle of Bir Hakeim in North Africa in 1942. The battle was a heroic show of strength, as the Free French held their position for 2 weeks and 2 days despite being outnumbered ten to one. After the war he was made military governor of the French occupation zone in Germany (1945–1949) before starting a political career. He served twice as Minister of National Defence and the Armed Forces in the 1950s. He was posthumously elevated to the position of Marshal of France in 1984, being the last titleholder to date.

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