Jean Chaput
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Jean Chaput was a World War I flying ace
credited with 16 aerial victories. He served in the army infantry beginning in 1913. He transferred to aviation in 1914. He qualified as a pilot by February 1915, was assigned to Escadrille 28, and scored his first victory on 12 June 1915 while piloting a Caudron
. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire for this action. Three days later, he was wounded. On 10 July, he suffered the first of two serious wounds that would cause lengthy interruptions in his flying career. He did not return to duty until January 1916. Having risen through the enlisted ranks to sergeant, he was now commissioned a lieutenant in March 1916. He scored twice more, on 18 March and 30 April; then he was transferred to a fighter squadron, Escadrille 57, in May 1916. Between 22 May and 23 July, he downed an observation balloon and four German airplanes. On 24 August, he was again severely wounded; this time, he would not return to duty until early 1917. He scored a double victory on 5 April, and one each in May and June 1917; the latter was shared with Joseph M. X. de Sévin
. There was another lapse in his winning ways, until 23 March 1918, when he once again scored twice; one of his victims that day was Erich Thomas
. In April, he succeeded to command of Escadrille 57, and scored his two final victories. He was killed in action on 6 May 1918 by Hermann Becker
.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Temporary Sous Lieutenant of Escadrille N57. Pilot of admirable audacity and sang-froid. He has had for more than a year daily, aerial combats during the course of which he downed four German planes. On 12 June 1915; 18 March, 30 April and 22 May 1916. Already cited four times in orders."
Médaille Militaire citation, 23 June 1915
Médaille Militaire
"Sergent pilot of Escadrille C28. A pilot of extraordinary skill, courage, sang-froid, and devotion, Recently experienced, other than service in artillery reconnaissance, very efficient service in aerial pursuit. Never hesitated on several occasions, during the operations from 7 to 13 June 1915, to give pursuit to enemy planes better armed than himself. Returned on the 12th [June] with his plane riddled by machine gun bullets after having forced his adversary to land."
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 16 aerial victories. He served in the army infantry beginning in 1913. He transferred to aviation in 1914. He qualified as a pilot by February 1915, was assigned to Escadrille 28, and scored his first victory on 12 June 1915 while piloting a Caudron
Caudron
The Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II...
. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire for this action. Three days later, he was wounded. On 10 July, he suffered the first of two serious wounds that would cause lengthy interruptions in his flying career. He did not return to duty until January 1916. Having risen through the enlisted ranks to sergeant, he was now commissioned a lieutenant in March 1916. He scored twice more, on 18 March and 30 April; then he was transferred to a fighter squadron, Escadrille 57, in May 1916. Between 22 May and 23 July, he downed an observation balloon and four German airplanes. On 24 August, he was again severely wounded; this time, he would not return to duty until early 1917. He scored a double victory on 5 April, and one each in May and June 1917; the latter was shared with Joseph M. X. de Sévin
Joseph M. X. de Sévin
Major General Joseph Marie Xavier de Sévin began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as thirteen unconfirmed ones. He rose to the rank of Major General while serving until World War II....
. There was another lapse in his winning ways, until 23 March 1918, when he once again scored twice; one of his victims that day was Erich Thomas
Erich Thomas
Leutnant Erich Thomas was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. Nine of these were observation balloons he destroyed.Thomas was assigned to Jasta 9 in December 1917. He shot down his first enemy observation balloon on 3 January 1918.He carried on his career as a balloon...
. In April, he succeeded to command of Escadrille 57, and scored his two final victories. He was killed in action on 6 May 1918 by Hermann Becker
Hermann Becker
Leutnant Hermann Becker , Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross, was a World War I German fighter ace credited with 23 victories....
.
Honors and awards
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 4 June 1916Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Temporary Sous Lieutenant of Escadrille N57. Pilot of admirable audacity and sang-froid. He has had for more than a year daily, aerial combats during the course of which he downed four German planes. On 12 June 1915; 18 March, 30 April and 22 May 1916. Already cited four times in orders."
Médaille Militaire citation, 23 June 1915
Médaille Militaire
"Sergent pilot of Escadrille C28. A pilot of extraordinary skill, courage, sang-froid, and devotion, Recently experienced, other than service in artillery reconnaissance, very efficient service in aerial pursuit. Never hesitated on several occasions, during the operations from 7 to 13 June 1915, to give pursuit to enemy planes better armed than himself. Returned on the 12th [June] with his plane riddled by machine gun bullets after having forced his adversary to land."