“The French, being a thrifty and practical people, have always been willing to let any foreigners assist them in any necessary bleeding and dying for La Patrie.” Writes American historian John Elting, “From the Scots who rode with Joan of Arc to the Foreign Legion at Dien Bien Phu, the foreign soldier, idealistic volunteer or hard-case mercenary, is an integral part of the French military tradition.” Since its inception on March 10, 1831 by King Louis Philippe, …showed first 75 words of 1596 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1596 total…fights their battles later evolved into a group full of valor and courage. A group of men so dedicated that even when all odds were stacked against them, there was no waning of their determination or spirit, fighting until death could make them fight no longer. The French Foreign Legion is now recognized not as a mere assembly of foreigners fighting for France but as a strongly respected courageous corps of men fighting for honor.