In 1953, Leroy enlisted in the [[French Foreign Legion]] and served as a [[paratrooper]] in the [[2nd18e Foreignrégiment Parachutede Regimentchasseurs parachutistes]] in the [[French Indochina War]]. He later became a reservist, and served in the [[Algerian War]] as a 2nd Lieutenant.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> He was awarded two decorations of the [[Legion of Honour|Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur]], a [[Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures]], and the [[Cross for Military Valour]] for his service.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Sollazzo |first=Boris |date=1 June 2024 |title=È morto Philippe Leroy, la cui vita (e carriera) è stata eroica e avventurosa come quella del suo Yanez |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.it/celebrities/morto-philippe-leroy-attore-yanez-leonardo-da-vinci-sandokan-silvia-tortora/113548/ |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter Roma]] |language=it-IT}}</ref> He retired as a [[captain]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" />
