Jean Danjou
| Jean Danjou | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
15 April 1828 Chalabre, France |
| Died | 30 April 1863 (aged 35) Camarón de Tejeda, Mexico |
| Allegiance |
 France
|
| Years of service | 1849–1863 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | French Foreign Legion |
| Battles/wars | Crimea (Sevastopol) Italian Campaign 1859 (Magenta - Solferino) Mexican expedition (Camarón de Tejeda) |
| Awards | Chevalier of the Legion of Honor |
Jean Danjou (15 April 1828 – 30 April 1863) was a decorated captain in the French Foreign Legion. He commanded the two lieutenants and 62 legionnaires who fought the legendary Battle of Camarón during the French intervention in Mexico, during which he was killed.
Jean Danjou was born in Chalabre, he enrolled in the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, the foremost French military academy, and graduated from the academy at the age of 20. He was assigned to the 51st Regiment of the Line.
In 1852, he transferred to the 2nd Foreign Regiment. He was transferred to Algeria, to assist French colonization efforts, including the campaigns of Kabylie. He lost his hand on a mapping assignment, on 1 May 1853, when his musket exploded. He designed a wooden prosthetic hand, which he used for the rest of his life. Danjou was promoted to 1st lieutenant on 24 December 1853.
As a 1st lieutenant, Danjou was part of the French army that fought in the Crimean War, and served during the Siege of Sevastopol. He was promoted to captain on 9 June 1855.
His next campaign during the Austro-Sardinian War, where in 1859 he fought in the Battle of Magenta and the Battle of Solférino.
After serving in Morocco for some time, Danjou was part of the French expeditionary corps sent to Mexico in 1862. He was the quartermaster of Colonel Jeanningros, who was in charge of the Foreign Legion regiment in Mexico. It was the duty of the French Legion to ensure the movement and safety of French supply convoys.
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