During
World War II, Lacoste escaped
German occupation and joined the
Free French Forces in
North Africa. He completed his education at the
École Navale in 1946. In 1975, Lacoste was appointed as Assistant
Minister of Defense, with
Yvon Bourges at the helm. The following year, he led the École supérieure de guerre navale. In 1978, he headed the military office of Prime Minister
Raymond Barre. In 1980, Lacoste commanded the Mediterranean Squadron. In 1982,
Pierre Marion was dismissed as
Director General of External Security by
François Mitterrand. Lacoste took his place. He held this position from 12 November 1982 to 19 September 1985. In 1985, Lacoste commanded the
sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in
New Zealand. Following this incident, Lacoste was dismissed as Director General. He was succeeded by
René Imbot. In 2005,
Le Monde published a report on the
Rainbow Warrior intended for the Minister of Defense André Giraud in which Lacoste recalls President Mitterrand giving the green light for the sinking. From 1986 to 1989, Lacoste presided over the Fondation des études de défense nationale. In 1989, he became President of the Défense - Armée - Nation Liaison of the Centre d'information civique. In 1993, he co-chaired the Centre d'études scientifiques de défense at the
University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée where he taught a seminar on "French intelligence culture." He also created the lesson "Strategic Intelligence, Risk Analysis, Territories", which still exists today. ==Awards==