Pierre Banel

Pierre Banel became a brigade commander during the French Revolutionary Wars and was killed in action in Italy. He enlisted in the French Royal Army as a private in 1784 and quit military service in 1789. He joined a volunteer battalion as an adjutant-major in 1792 and fought in the War of the Pyrenees. He was promoted commander of a battalion in mid-1793 and general of brigade at the end of 1793. He fought against Spain at Mas Deu, Villelongue, Boulou, and Black Mountain. After transferring to Italy, he was wounded at Loano. Fighting under Napoleon Bonaparte, he was killed while leading his brigade to attack Cosseria Castle at the Battle of Millesimo. BANEL is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe, on Column 28.