French Foreign Legionnaire 1st Class Gerhardus Jansen was one of two French Legionnaires killed in action on 7th August 2011 in a battle with enemy forces near the Tagab Valley, Kapisa. He served with 2nd Parachute Regiment Etranger (REP), based at Calvi, Corsica. He joined the 2nd REP in August 2008.
In January 2009, he was promoted to Legionnaire 1st Class. After a mission in Djibouti, Jansen deployed to Afghanistan.
The 24-year-old was awarded the Bronze Medal of National Defence clip "Foreign Legion" and "Mission of external assistance," the French Commemorative Medal clasp "Afghanistan" and the NATO Medal.