Lieutenant Jeannette Guyot was a French Resistance operative who went on to become one of the Second World War’s most decorated women. She is one of only two women to hold the American Distinguished Service Cross obtained during the war. She participated in Pathfinder Mission of Operation Sussex.
As a volunteer she was trained in St Albans by the Secret Intelligence Service and Office of Strategic Services officers who would go on to be a part of Operation Sussex. In 1944 she got her parachute wings. Her first mission was “Pathfinder” and as part of Operation Calanque, with three other French officers, she was parachuted into Europe and helped find many dropping zones and about a hundred safe houses for Operation Sussex agents.
After France was freed from occupation, Guyot continue to work for the French Intelligence Service.
Awards:
▶️Legion of Honour
▶️Distinguished Service Cross
▶️George Medal
⭐ Jeanette Guyot’s Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads as follows:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Jeannette Guyot, Army of France, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Office of Strategic Services, in action against enemy forces from 8 February 1944 to 26 August 1944. Lieutenant Guyot was parachuted, in civilian clothes, into enemy-occupied France as a member of the Pathfinder mission, charged with finding parachuting fields, reception committees, safe houses, and local informants for all the “Sussex” points. As the principal liaison agent of the mission, she traveled widely over the northern France and contacted a large number of agents. Lieutenant Guyot traveled by various methods of conveyance with luggage, which, if it had been opened by the Germans, would have resulted in her death. Because of her great courage and initiative, she undertook the most dangerous assignments. Lieutenant Guyot’s work and conduct were beyond all praise and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the Allied Nations.
Jeanette returned to France after the war and passed away in 2016 at the age of 97. Lest We Forget.
Source : WWII Uncovered
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