Denise Vernay
French resistance fighter (1924–2013) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Denise Vernay?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Denise Vernay-Jacob (21 June 1924 – 4 March 2013) was a member of the French Resistance during World War II, who operated under the aliases of "Miarka" and "Annie" from 1941. She narrowly avoided the March 1944 roundup of Jews in Nice, France which resulted in the deportation of her parents to Auschwitz concentration camp in occupied Poland. Captured less than three months later, she survived torture by the Gestapo and imprisonment at two Nazi concentration camps – Ravensbrück and Mauthausen. She was rescued by the Red Cross in April 1945 and returned home to France at the conclusion of the war.[1]
Denise Vernay-Jacob | |
---|---|
Born | Denise Jacob 21 June 1924 |
Died | 4 March 2013 (2013-03-05) (aged 88) |
Nationality | French |
Other names | Miarka or Annie |
Years active | 1941–1944 |
Known for | French Resistance courier |
Spouse |
Alain Vernay (m. 1947) |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | André Jacob Yvonne Steinmetz |
Relatives | Simone Veil (sister) |
Awards | Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur Grand'croix de l'ordre national du Mérite Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 avec palms Médaille de la Résistance avec rosette |
Although her sisters, Madeleine and Simone, survived imprisonment elsewhere, their parents and brother did not.[2][3] Vernay-Jacob helped to establish the Fondation de la Résistance to provide support to survivors of the war and honor the memories of those who had perished – efforts which she continued to support throughout her life.[4] Her sister Simone Veil became the first president of the Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah.[5] Vernay-Jacob was honored with multiple awards for her valor.[6]