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UNCG Students Forge Links with Foreign Legion
Veterans of mysterious fighting unit share stories in documentary

GREENSBORO – Two students at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro were granted a glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s most secretive and dangerous soldiers this fall when they traveled to France to interview veterans of the legendary French Foreign Legion.

Made famous in America by films such as “Beau Geste,” the Legion is an elite fighting unit of foreign nationals who are committed to defending the interests of France.

UNCG seniors A.J. Lee and Scot Aitcheson traveled to Puyloubier, France, in October to interview retired Legionnaires at the Institute des Invalides de la Légion Étrangere. In what is believed to be the first collaboration of its type, the two students worked closely with the French Ministry of Defence and Foreign Legion command, creating an ethnographic study and documentary film.

The project was a passion of Aitcheson, a U.S. Army veteran who once considered joining the Legion.

“This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and interact with some amazing individuals,” Aitcheson said. “We were treated exceptionally well, allowed to tour the Legion facilities and given an audience with the commander of the institute, Lt. Colonel Michel Hahn, himself a second-generation Legionnaire.”

Aitcheson, a communication studies major, and Lee, a media writing major, spent over a year researching and preparing for the trip, with the support and guidance of faculty members Dr. Dan DeGooyer of the Department of Communication and Frank Donaldson of the Department of Broadcasting and Cinema. General Commandant Franceschi, commander of the French Foreign Legion, granted special permission for the study. Aitcheson and Lee funded and supplied equipment for the self-directed independent study project, which was outside of the regular UNCG curriculum.

Working closely with Lt. Col. Hahn and Capt. Trobin of the Institute, Aitcheson and Lee interviewed three retired Legionnaires, known as les Anciens, about their experiences in the Foreign Legion, which included assignments in the Indochina campaign and a prisoner-of-war experience.  Lt. Col. Hahn and Capt. Trobin also spoke at length about their own experiences in the Legion and those of les Anciens.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” Lee said. “These are some of the toughest soldiers in the world, with amazing personal histories to share. We were proud to forge links between the university and the Legion, and gained great insight into an often misunderstood institution.”

Lee said talking with the soldiers “stoked the fire in our bellies to keep exploring.” They hope to go back to France for Bastille Day to gather more stories.

Aitcheson and Lee will present their observations in a joint colloquium to be held at UNCG Dec. 4. The presentation will begin at 5 p.m. in room 225 of Curry Building. It will include an ethnographic overview of the Foreign Legion, a screening of the 30-minute documentary and a question and answer session. The colloquium is free and open to the public.

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