Three French police officials have been awarded Municipal medals for courage displayed in gun battles with armed criminals in August. The decision to decorate these men was reached by the French Municipal Council on Thursday.
A Municipal gold medal was awarded to Lieutenant Pierre Blanchet, Deputy Commissioner in charge of the uniformed branch of the French Police, for showing an example to his inferiors in arresting scores of armed bandits during his eight years with the police, On while going to the Police Headquarters, he was attacked and at by several gunmen, Wounded by two shots, in the side and shoulder, Lieutenant Blanchet alighted from his car and engaged the gang in a, gun battle. His composure and bravery put the gang to flight after one of their number had been wounded, leaving his pistol on the road.
Another gold medal was awarded io Sergeant Guillaume Pierre. This officer, already holder of a silver medal since August 2, 1932, when he was wounded in the knee whilst on duty, pursued an armed bandit on August 28, although not on dut; and opened fire. The criminal shot dead after a brief exchange of fire, It will be recalled that the bandit had mortally wounded Mr. Fong Tse-tsong, Secretary of the Association Amicale Sino-Francaise, The victim succumbed to his wounds at the Ste. Marie's Hospital two days later.
The third officer to be decorated was Assistant Commissioner Andre Moret, who was awarded the Municipal silver medal, for the same reason as Sergeant Pierre, Carr. H, M. Smyth, Deputy Commissioner of the S.M.P. has left for a holiday in Hongkong,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.