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France 24
France 24
National
Stéphanie TROUILLARD

Family of celebrated French WWII veteran Léon Gautier refuses the commercialisation of his legacy

French WWII veteran Leon Gautier attends a ceremony in tribute to the 177 French Fusiliers Marins of the "Commando Kieffer" who took part in the Normandy landings in Colleville-Montgomery, Normandy, northwestern France, on June 6, 2019, as part of commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day. © Damien Meyer, AFP

Léon Gautier was famous in France as the last representative of the "Kieffer Commando", the only French unit to take part in the Allied D-Day landings on Normandy beaches in June 1944. As the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaches, some are seeing opportunities for financial gain. His descendants have decided to seek legal assistance to prevent any abusive or commercial use of his image.

Gautier, who died on July 3, 2023 at the age of 100, was a nationally celebrated figure and a near-constant presence at World War II commemorations who used his stature to make sure the lessons of the war were not forgotten.  

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