Joseph Joffre, War Hero (1852-1931, Year of Entry: 1869)

Joining Polytechnique at the age of 17, Joseph Joffre was the youngest of his class. He had to take a break from his studies, however, to help defend Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. After graduating, he served in the Engineers Regiment and took part in the campaign on the island of Formosa (modern-day Taiwan). This was followed by missions to Sudan, Madagascar, Tunisia and Algeria. He joined the High War Council (Conseil supérieur de la guerre), and in 1911 became Chief of General Staff of the French Army and developed the aviation and heavy artillery units. In 1914, he ordered a general counter-offensive that lead to the victory at the Battle of the Marne, and later trained American troops in France. Regarded as one of the great leaders of the Allied victory, Joffre was given a state funeral.