French Special Forces Commando Benjamin Bourdet was killed in action on 14th July 2011 in the Alasay Valley, Kapisa province, Afghanistan during a battle with enemy forces.
The 30-year-old Commando was born in Cherbourg and joined the French Marines in 2003. Between 2004 and 2007 he deployed four times to New Caledonia. He was promoted to Petty Officer rank in September 2007 and assigned to a Marine unit guarding nuclear submarines. He deployed twice to Djibouti on operations against maritime piracy.
Second-Master Bourdet was on his first deployment to Afghanistan. He holds the Gold and Silver National Defense Medals.