Adjutant Francis Guerrier (1896-1969) was a French
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
flying ace
A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...
and
balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness, as balloons were stationary targets able to receive heavy defenses, from the ground and the air. Seventy-seven fl ...
credited with five aerial victories over enemy observation balloons.
[The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/guerrier.php Retrieved 29 July 2020]
Biography
Guerrier was born in
Treffieux, France. During World War I, he served with an infantry regiment. He won a ''
Croix de Guerre
The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...
'' with bronze star on 27 April 1917. Subsequently, he was transferred to aviation duty. Beginning 16 May 1918, he began scoring victories over enemy
observation balloons
An observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I ...
. By war's end, he had succeeded in downing, singly or with others, five of the enemy craft despite the extreme hazards involved.
He not only won the ''Croix de Guerre'' with three ''palmes'', an ''etoile de vermeil'', and three ''etoiles de bronze'', but also appointment to the ''
Légion d'honneur
The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
'' as a chevalier. Additionally, he won the ''
Médaille Militaire
The ''Médaille militaire'' ( en, Military Medal) is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. It is the third highest award of the French Republic, ...
'' on 15 October 1918, just before war's end.
''Médaille Militaire'' citation:
"Non-commissioned officer who came from the infantry where he had proved his qualities as a fighter. Transferred to aviation, he immediately became an excellent pursuit pilot, never ceasing to demonstrate his courage by example, searching out the enemy with untiring energy. A remarkable patrol leader, model of tenacity, devotion and courage. Downed several times by the enemy, his aircraft riddled by bullets, he returned to the most difficult of combats with the same spirit and morale. On 3 September 1918, he reported his 4th victory by downing a balloon in flames. Five citations."
Endnotes
References
Military file on French DoD website* (note: date of birth erroneously given as the 4th of March)
*
1896 births
1969 deaths
Knights of the Legion of Honour
French World War I flying aces
Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)
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