Jean de Laborde

comte Jean de Laborde Legion of Honor
Birth name	Jean Joseph Jules Noël de Laborde
Nickname(s)	Comte Jean
Born	(1878-11-29)29 November 1878 Chantilly, France
Died	30 July 1977(1977-07-30) (aged 98) Castillon-la-Bataille
Allegiance	French Third Republic  Vichy France
Service/branch	French Navy
Years of service	1897-1943
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Chief of Naval Aviation Béarn aircraft carrier Toulon maritime sector Commander-in-chief 4th maritime region Commander-in-chief Atlantic squadron Commander-in-chief western maritime forces Chief of Forces de Haute Mer
Battles/wars	Boxer Rebellion World War I World War II Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon
Awards	Legion of Honor (stripped) Médaille militaire (stripped) Croix de guerre 1914-1918 Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France) Ordre du Mérite Maritime 1901 China expedition commemorative medal Morocco commemorative medal (1909) Colonial Medal Distinguished Service Medal (U.S.) Order of Ouissam Alaouite Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) Order of Glory (Tunisia)
Spouse(s)	Rose Marie Saldo

Jean de Laborde (29 November 1878 - 30 July 1977) was a French naval officer who had a long and illustrious career starting at the end of the 19th century and extending to World War II where he served as admiral. A pioneer of naval aviation in France, he captained the first French aircraft carrier, earned many awards, and held many top posts. He is most well known for his final military act, the scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon during the German occupation of Vichy France in World War II, which left his prestige in ruins and led to his arrest and conviction for treason.

Jean de Laborde entered Naval school in 1895 with the title of "Count", which remained his nickname during his career.

After graduating, de Laborde was posted to the Far East in 1897 where he served first as Ensign in 1900 and took part in the Chinese campaign following the Boxer Rebellion. Upon returning to France, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1908. After a couple of years in Moroccan waters, he was sent back to the Far East on board the armored cruiser Dupleix. While there, he learned to fly and overflew Saigon, earning his pilot's license in 1914. As a pilot during World War I he led a flight unit and later directed the maritime aviation center at Dunkirk.

A pioneer of naval aviation in France, he was named head of naval aviation in 1925 and took command of the Béarn, the first French aircraft carrier. In 1928 at the age of 50, he earned the rank of contre-amiral, (equivalent to rear admiral), and became commander of the maritime sector of Toulon, and in 1930, commander-in-chief of the 2nd Squadron. He was elevated to Vice-Amiral (vice admiral) in 1932 and commander-in-chief and Maritime Prefect of the 4th maritime region (Bizerte) covering the Mediterranean. In 1936 de Laborde again took charge of the 2nd Squadron and later that year became commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Squadron.

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