Petain graduated from the French Military Academy at St. Cyr in 1878.  Petain became a French hero when he commanded French forces at the battle of Verdun in 1916Ð where his forces stopped the Germans.  In 1917 he was appointed commander of all French forces. In 1918, Petain was promoted to the position of Marshall, and in 1934 became War Minister. He was a strong supporter to the Maginot LineÐ  France's defensive lineÐ that was simply ignored by the Germans when they attacked in World War II.  After the French defeat by the Germans, Petain, who was 84 years old, succeeded Paul Reynauld as head of the French government.  He led the French Vichy government in a policy of collaboration with Nazis.  After the German defeat, Petain was tried for treason and sentenced to death in 1945. His sentence was commuted to life in prison.  He died in prison in 1951.