An image of Ros, the military dog of Sergeant-Chef Anicet Girardin, who died on April 22, 2026, from injuries sustained in an ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, attends a national tribute in Suippes, eastern France, on April 28, 2026.
A very moving image. Ros, the German Shepherd who accompanied Sergeant Anicet Girardin on his missions, died after an ambush in Lebanon in mid-April. On Tuesday, April 26, he was posthumously awarded the Military Valor Cross with a bronze star during a national tribute to the fallen 31-year-old soldier.
The dog has since been retired and has now rejoined his family, according to his regiment. Anicet Girardin also leaves behind his partner, who is also a military member of the 132nd RIC, and a two-year-old son.
The ceremony, held at the 132nd Canine Infantry Regiment of Suippes where Anicet Girardin served, was presided over by the Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, in the presence of the chief of staff of the army, General Pierre Schill.
“The nation bows before Sergeant Anicet Girardin (…), the 145th to die for France in Lebanon since 1978,” said Catherine Vautrin. She paid tribute to a man “conscientious, discreet, of absolute reliability” and who was “appreciated by all.”
“You will forever remain an example of courage, loyalty, and honor,” she added. During the ceremony, the soldier was posthumously awarded the military medal, the Military Valor Cross with a bronze palm, and was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Promoted to Sergeant posthumously
Anicet Girardin joined the 132nd Canine Infantry Regiment (RIC) of Suippes in 2016, specializing in aid in the search and detection of explosives. The corporal-chef, promoted to sergeant posthumously, had been deployed since January 23 in southern Lebanon as deputy group leader specializing in explosive detection within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
On April 18, during a reconnaissance mission to resupply an isolated UN peacekeeping post, his patrol “came under attack by an armed group,” his regiment explained. This attack resulted in the death of Adjutant Florian Montorio and injured three soldiers, including Anicet Girardin, who came to assist his commander. Anicet Girardin succumbed to his injuries last Wednesday after being repatriated to France.
French authorities and the UN attributed the attack to the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, which has denied any involvement. Emmanuel Macron also stated on Tuesday during his visit to Andorra that Anicet Girardin’s death “underscores the tribute France pays, its role, and its responsibility, in this case within UNIFIL where it has been for decades.”
“We obviously expect a clear condemnation of the perpetrators of this attack, and above all that the proceedings are carried out properly. But France can be proud of the role it plays in Lebanon and for peace,” added the president.
