Hector Garaud
Encyclopedia
Sous Lieutenant Hector Eugene Joseph Garaud was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was one of the rare aces who survived the earliest era of fighter aviation.
Garaud began his military service on 12 July 1915, being assigned directly to the 2e Groupe d'Aviation as an enlisted soldier. On 28 September, he moved to Parc d'Aviation No. 100 for training. Afterwards he was sent to Escadrille V97 (the 'V' standing for Voisin) on 4 November 1915. There he served as an observer/gunner, winning a Mention in Dispatches.
On 16 August 1916, he reported for pilot's training at Buc
. He was awarded Pilot's Brevet No. 4804 on 21 October 1916. Eight days later, he was assigned to Avord
for further training. He was promoted to Caporal on 11 November 1916 before being forwarded to Cazau and Pau for advanced training. He arrived at Escadrille Spa38 on 16 April 1917; he scored his first win on 12 May. He was promoted to Sergent on 25 June. He tallied three more triumphs, on 29 October, 13 November, and 12 December 1917. On 22 December 1917, he became an ace, teaming with Marcel Henriot
and Gabriel Guérin
to shoot down a German two-seater over Livry-Louvercy
. The following day, Garaud shared his sixth win with Georges Madon
.
Garaud began 1918 by scoring his seventh victory on the first, and receiving the Medaille Militaire on its second day. On 19 February, he shot down another German, over Prunay
. The next day, he was promoted to Adjutant
. In March, he scored four more times, but took a bullet through the right lung on the same day he shot down the last of these, on the 26th. Coincidentally, he was awarded the honor of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur that same day.
Garaud would score one final time, on 12 August 1918. On 3 October, he was wounded by shrapnel in the face. On the 20th, he was commissioned as a temporary sous lieutenant. Hector Garaud's war ended with 495 hours flight time in his logbook, and the Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Military Medal, and Croix de Guerre with eight palmes and two etoiles on his chest.
Garaud died while test flying an airplane on 2 April 1940; he held the rank of Commandant upon his death.
A pilot of admirable experience, endurance, willingness and exemplary courage, who has given sine his arrival at the escadrille the full measure of his undoubted qualities of audacity and skill. He has effected numerous protection missions and had several combats during the course of which he has downed three enemy planes. On 12 December 1917, he reported his fourth victory. Cited in orders four times.
Text of award of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur
"Pursuit pilot beyond compare, he has downed eleven enemy planes. He was seriously wounded after having downed his 12th plane."
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was one of the rare aces who survived the earliest era of fighter aviation.
Garaud began his military service on 12 July 1915, being assigned directly to the 2e Groupe d'Aviation as an enlisted soldier. On 28 September, he moved to Parc d'Aviation No. 100 for training. Afterwards he was sent to Escadrille V97 (the 'V' standing for Voisin) on 4 November 1915. There he served as an observer/gunner, winning a Mention in Dispatches.
On 16 August 1916, he reported for pilot's training at Buc
Buc
Buc may refer to:* Buc, Yvelines, a commune of the Yvelines département, in France* Buc, Territoire de Belfort, a commune of the Territoire de Belfort département, in France* Búč, a village in south Slovakia* buc, the ISO 639-3 code for the Bushi language...
. He was awarded Pilot's Brevet No. 4804 on 21 October 1916. Eight days later, he was assigned to Avord
Avord
Avord is a commune in the Cher department in the Centre region of France.-Geography:A farming area comprising the village and several hamlets situated by the banks of the river Yèvre, some east of Bourges at the junction of the D976 with the D36 and the D71 roads...
for further training. He was promoted to Caporal on 11 November 1916 before being forwarded to Cazau and Pau for advanced training. He arrived at Escadrille Spa38 on 16 April 1917; he scored his first win on 12 May. He was promoted to Sergent on 25 June. He tallied three more triumphs, on 29 October, 13 November, and 12 December 1917. On 22 December 1917, he became an ace, teaming with Marcel Henriot
Marcel Henriot
Adjutant Marcel Laurent Henriot was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...
and Gabriel Guérin
Gabriel Guerin
Sous Lieutenant Gabriel Fernand Charles Guérin , Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 23 victories.-Citations for military decorations:Médaille Militaire...
to shoot down a German two-seater over Livry-Louvercy
Livry-Louvercy
Livry-Louvercy is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France....
. The following day, Garaud shared his sixth win with Georges Madon
Georges Madon
Georges Felix Madon was the fourth ranked French ace pilot of the First World War. His lengthy career and wide variety of aviation experiences were remarkable.-Early years:...
.
Garaud began 1918 by scoring his seventh victory on the first, and receiving the Medaille Militaire on its second day. On 19 February, he shot down another German, over Prunay
Prunay
Prunay is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France....
. The next day, he was promoted to Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
. In March, he scored four more times, but took a bullet through the right lung on the same day he shot down the last of these, on the 26th. Coincidentally, he was awarded the honor of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur that same day.
Garaud would score one final time, on 12 August 1918. On 3 October, he was wounded by shrapnel in the face. On the 20th, he was commissioned as a temporary sous lieutenant. Hector Garaud's war ended with 495 hours flight time in his logbook, and the Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Military Medal, and Croix de Guerre with eight palmes and two etoiles on his chest.
Garaud died while test flying an airplane on 2 April 1940; he held the rank of Commandant upon his death.
Honors and awards
Text of award of the Medaille MilitaireA pilot of admirable experience, endurance, willingness and exemplary courage, who has given sine his arrival at the escadrille the full measure of his undoubted qualities of audacity and skill. He has effected numerous protection missions and had several combats during the course of which he has downed three enemy planes. On 12 December 1917, he reported his fourth victory. Cited in orders four times.
Text of award of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur
"Pursuit pilot beyond compare, he has downed eleven enemy planes. He was seriously wounded after having downed his 12th plane."
Reference
- Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918 Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, 9780948817540.