René Briot was born on 30 November 1913 in Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle in the Vosges region of France, into a family of weavers. He spent his early years in Bussang, also in the Vosges, and later became a farmer. After completing his military service in the Chasseurs à Pied in 1934, he joined the 21st Regiment of Algerian Tirailleurs in June 1935. Over the next few years, he rose through the ranks, becoming a corporal in October 1935, a corporal chief in April 1937, and eventually a sergeant. In July 1939, he was assigned to the Levant, a region in the eastern Mediterranean that includes modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. In October 1939, Briot was placed in the 24th Regiment of Colonial Infantry (24th RIC). With the 3rd Company of the 24th RIC under Captain Folliot, who wanted to continue fighting in Palestine, Briot left Tripoli and, using false mission orders, crossed into British-controlled territory via Beirut on 27 June 1940. After joining the British forces, the French volunteers formed the 1st Battalion of Marine Infantry (1st BIM), becoming the first unit of the Free French (French Liberator) forces. Briot served as a sergeant in the campaign in Libya with the 1st Company of the BIM from September 1940. In February 1941, Briot was wounded while crossing a minefield but remained with his unit and refused evacuation. For his bravery during the battles of Tobruk, he was awarded the Cross of Liberation on 7 March 1941. Later that year, he requested to be reassigned as a corporal and joined the 13th Half-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13th DBLE) in June 1941. He took part in operations in Syria and was promoted to sergeant by Captain de Bollardière in July. By September 1941, he was promoted to sergeant chief and participated in campaigns in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia. In July 1943, he was promoted to adjutant and fought in Italy with the French Expeditionary Corps. After landing in Provence in August 1944, Briot participated in the campaign in France. He was appointed adjutant chief the day after Germany's surrender. He continued serving in the Army, later in the AEF (French colonial territories in Africa) and Indochina, before retiring as an adjutant chief on 30 November 1953. René Briot died on 8 October 1991 in Bussang, where he was buried. He was honored with numerous awards, including the Legion of Honour, Companion of Liberation, Military Medal, and several war and resistance medals.