Damien Boiteux

French Lieutenant Damien Boiteux, age 41, died on January 11, 2013, in Mali, Africa. 

He was with the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment (HRTS) based in Pau. He had 22 years of service.

He was a helicopter pilot on a military mission to save a French Intelligence Officer being held hostage since July of 2009 by Islamist militants.

Damien was killed and another as yet unnamed French soldier was also killed and the hostage as well. 

War is ongoing in Mali. Al Qaeda linked Islamists are trying to take over the country. France answered a plea for help from the president of Mali, Dioncounda Traoré. This decision was applauded by the African Union, who state that “Mali is facing aggression from terrorist elements coming from the North, of which the world now knows the brutality and the fanaticism....The country’s very existence is at risk.”

Saint Bernadette of
Lourdes, pray for Damien.

Damien had previously served tours of duty in Djibouti (3 times), the former Yugoslavia, Ivory Coast (3 times), Mauritania and Burkina Faso (3 times). 

Family members stated that they are proud of Damien and of his service to his country. They are proud of his service against terrorism. They said that he loved his job and he loved to fly. Even when he was a child, he dreamed of flying.

Damien is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Marie-Claire, his father, his brother, Pierre-Alexandre; and his 15 year old son. 

Thank you for serving, Damien. 

Let us pray that Damien Boiteux is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.