[gusty]

I believe that psychologically Legionnaires do not fight for France, they fight for the Legion. During both World Wars, the Legion had internal problems between the idealists who joined to fight for France and the veteran Legionnaires who fought for the sake of fighting and the Legion. The two did not get along at all. This worldview of the Legionnaire manifested itself in the early 60’s in Algeria when many Legionnaires turned on the French government itself, some forming the terrorist OAS, and even attempting several assassinations on DeGaulle.

[BerryDingle]

I believe that psychologically Legionnaires do not fight for France, they fight for the Legion.

They kicked some serious butt in Korea also.

[ansel12]

Here is perhaps the greatest Legion battle in history, and it was right next door to us.

I celebrate it every April 30, having been introduced to it by some fine fellows in France.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camar%C3%B3n
“The Battle of Camarón (French : Bataille de Camerone) which occurred 30 April 1863 between the French Foreign Legion and the Mexican army, is regarded by the Legion as a defining moment in its history. A small infantry patrol led by Captain Jean Danjou, Lt Maudet and Lt Vilain, numbering 62 soldiers and three officers was attacked and besieged by a force that may have eventually reached 3,000 Mexican infantry and cavalry, and was forced to make a defensive stand at the nearby Hacienda Camarón, in Camarón de Tejeda, Veracruz, Mexico. The conduct of the defence ascribed to the Legion a certain mystique—and Camarón became within Legion ranks synonymous with bravery and a fight-to-the-death.”