Louis Charles Georges Jules Lafont (24 April 1825 – 31 January 1908) was a French naval officer who was Governor of Cochinchina from 1877 to 1879. He joined the navy at the age of sixteen, rose steadily through the ranks, and served in Vietnam, the Philippines, West Africa, the Crimea, the Baltic, the Indian Ocean, China and East Africa. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 he was given command of land troops. After returning from Cochinchina he held various senior naval commands, including commander in chief of the training squadron from 1885 to 1886. Early years (1825–47) Louis Charles Georges Jules Lafont was born on 24 April 1825 in Fort-de-France, Martinique. His parents were Jacques Charles Lafont (1768–1839), a merchant, and Elisabeth Perriquet (1795–1871). He joined the navy when he was sixteen. He became an aspirant (midshipman) on 1 September 1843 in Toulon. He served on the Victorieuse during a long campaign in the Far East. He distinguished himself in the attack on Tourane (Da Nang), and then in an expedition against the pirates of Basilan in the Philippines. Ensign and lieutenant (1847–59) Lafonte was made enseigne de vaisseau (ensign) on 1 September 1847, and returned to France in 1848 after the Victorieuse sank in Korea. In May 1849 he was on the Agile stationed on the west coast of Africa. He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour on 10 December 1850. Lafont was assigned to the depot of maps and plans in October 1850. He was promoted to lieutenant de vaisseau (lieutenant) on 1 July 1852. In May 1853 he was serving on the Iéna in the training squadron. From October 1853 on the Jupiter he took part in the operations of the Crimean War. He distinguished himself in the attack on Sevastopol on 17 October 1854. In May 1855 Lafont was in command of the gunboat Poudre in the Baltic, and took part in the attack on Suomenlinna. In May 1856 he was in command of the Salve in Cherbourg, and then of the gunboat Avalanche in the Indian Ocean. Lafont was active part in the campaign led by Charles Rigault de Genouilly in China and Indochina, and participated in the Battle of Canton (1857), the Battle of Taku Forts (1859), the Siege of Tourane (1858–1860) and the Capture of Saigon (February 1859). He was promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honour on 28