The Legion of Honour, formerly known as the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour, is the highest French order of merit for both military and civil achievements.
Established on May 19, 1802, by Napoleon Bonaparte, it was created to recognise courage, honour, and heroic service, replacing the Orders of the Royal Family abolished by a decree on July 30, 1791.
Recipients of the decoration also become members of the Order of Merit, similar to the British Commonwealth’s Knighthood.
The Legion is divided into five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.
Among the few recipients globally, three brave Fijian soldiers were awarded the Knight class, equivalent to the British Commonwealth’s Victoria Cross.
One of them was the late Private (Pte) James Sukera of Wailailai, Ovalau.
“He joined the Fiji military when he was in his twenties, I think around 1985,” said 56-year-old Kulitapa Powell, a long-time friend of the late Pte Sukera.
“I came after in 1988, and we became friends ever since. He passed away on November 28, 2024, due to health reasons, but his story will forever live on, especially here in Levuka.”
Pte Sukera’s act of heroism took place on August 12, 1986.
At approximately 11am, three seriously wounded French soldiers were evacuated by a local ambulance from the French battalion’s area of operations in Lebanon.
Armed elements, enraged by the killing of two local leaders at a French checkpoint hours earlier, besieged all French positions.
The ambulance, heading to rendezvous with a UNIFIL ambulance at FijiBatt’s Checkpoint 1-1 (Beqa), was intercepted by armed elements intending to capture or kill the French casualties.
“Two armed elements took over the ambulance and drove off with the casualties; however, one of the casualties managed to get off the vehicle and struggle towards the checkpoint under fire from armed elements,” Mr. Powell recounted.
“At this point, Pte Sukera dashed out from his gun pit and carried the wounded French soldier, aided by two other Fijian soldiers, Corporal (Cpl) Maciu Davobalavu of Gau and Pte Luke Vukivuki of Bua.
“When the wounded French soldier, Pte Sukera, and Pte Vukivuki were safe, Cpl Davobalavu directed fire to hold off the armed elements trying to reach the ambulance.
“After heavy fire from Checkpoint 1-1, the armed elements finally surrendered. Their intentions were thwarted, and their getaway vehicle was destroyed.”
Pte Sukera was laid to rest on December 3, 2024. His actions, alongside those of Cpl Davobalavu and Pte Vukivuki, embody the fighting spirit of true Fijian warriors who risked their lives to rescue UN members while defending their position.
Their courage and resilience on that day made an unforgettable difference, earning them France’s highest honour.
The late Private (Pte) James Sukera of Wailailai, Ovalau. Picture: SUPPLIED
