De Gaulle served with distinction in World War I.  He was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1916. At the start of World War II, De Gaulle commanded a French armored division. He led one of the few successful attacks against the Germans.  In June of 1940, he fled to London where he organized the Free French Forces.  In 1943, he organized the provisional government in Algeria.  After the liberation of France, De Gaulle was elected President of the 4th Republic, but resigned after failing to receive sufficient executive power.  

In 1958  he was elected President of France.  Under his leadership, France withdrew from Algeria, despite strong opposition within France.  De Gaulle followed independent foreign policies that often caused friction with the United States.  In 1966, he withdrew France from NATO.  He resigned in 1969.