Petar Marinovich
Encyclopedia
Petar Marinovich (August 1, 1898 – October 2, 1919) was a French
World War I
flying ace
credited with 22 aerial victories. He was killed shortly after the war in an air accident.
, France
of Serbia
n extraction. He volunteered for the duration of the war on 12 February 1916 and was immediately assigned to the 27th Regiment de Dragoons. On 14 July he transferred to aviation as a student pilot, and received a Military Pilots Brevet N.4910 on 15 November 1916. After further training he was sent his GDE and on 19 March 1917 he was assigned to Escadrille N.38. Unfortunately, before he was able to see action he fell seriously ill and was sent with little hope of recovery to the hospital for several months. He proved the experts and doctors wrong and recovered well enough to return to duty.
He was reassigned to Escadrille N.94, which was being formed near Châlons-en-Champagne
. They were known as "The Grim Reaperers" and adopted "The Grim Reaper" as their logo, painted it prominently on the side of each of the planes in the squadron. He was promoted almost immediately to Marechal-des-logis on 26 July 1917, and in recognition of his 3rd victory he received the Medaille Militaire
on 10 January 1918 (Order N.6239). Then on 20 February 1917 he was promoted to Adjutant
. On 26 July 1918, he was made Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur
citing his 13th victory. Followed very quickly by a temporary promotion to Sous Lieutenant that came on 20 Oct 1918. When the war ended Marinovich had earned 22 verified victories over enemy aircraft and was awarded France’s Croix de Guerre
with ten palms.
Marinovich was Austen Crehore
's flying partner and best friend, who he often credited with saving his life early in his career with Escadrille No.94. As Marinovich told the story a German plane was hot on his tail tearing it to shreds with machine gun fire. Crehore barrel rolled in behind the German and took him out in one long machine gun burst. Marinovich often said publicly that he felt that he shared his victories with his friend that had saved him at the beginning of his career. Pierre Marinovich and Austen Crehore were the best of friends and Austen was present when he tragically witnessed his death.
In 1919, after the war, Pierre Marinovich died in a senseless plane crash performing complicated aviation stunts to entertain the King and Queen of Belgium at Evere Airfield, Brussels
, Belgium
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
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 22 aerial victories. He was killed shortly after the war in an air accident.
Biography
Pierre Marinovich was born 1 August 1898 in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n extraction. He volunteered for the duration of the war on 12 February 1916 and was immediately assigned to the 27th Regiment de Dragoons. On 14 July he transferred to aviation as a student pilot, and received a Military Pilots Brevet N.4910 on 15 November 1916. After further training he was sent his GDE and on 19 March 1917 he was assigned to Escadrille N.38. Unfortunately, before he was able to see action he fell seriously ill and was sent with little hope of recovery to the hospital for several months. He proved the experts and doctors wrong and recovered well enough to return to duty.
He was reassigned to Escadrille N.94, which was being formed near Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne is a city in France. It is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims....
. They were known as "The Grim Reaperers" and adopted "The Grim Reaper" as their logo, painted it prominently on the side of each of the planes in the squadron. He was promoted almost immediately to Marechal-des-logis on 26 July 1917, and in recognition of his 3rd victory he received the Medaille Militaire
Médaille militaire
The Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
on 10 January 1918 (Order N.6239). Then on 20 February 1917 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...
. On 26 July 1918, he was made Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
citing his 13th victory. Followed very quickly by a temporary promotion to Sous Lieutenant that came on 20 Oct 1918. When the war ended Marinovich had earned 22 verified victories over enemy aircraft and was awarded France’s Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre 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 awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with ten palms.
Marinovich was Austen Crehore
Austen Crehore
Sergeant Austen Ballard Crehore was a World War I pilot in the Armée de l'Air and the recipient of the Legion of Honor and Croix de guerre with two palms.-Early life:...
's flying partner and best friend, who he often credited with saving his life early in his career with Escadrille No.94. As Marinovich told the story a German plane was hot on his tail tearing it to shreds with machine gun fire. Crehore barrel rolled in behind the German and took him out in one long machine gun burst. Marinovich often said publicly that he felt that he shared his victories with his friend that had saved him at the beginning of his career. Pierre Marinovich and Austen Crehore were the best of friends and Austen was present when he tragically witnessed his death.
In 1919, after the war, Pierre Marinovich died in a senseless plane crash performing complicated aviation stunts to entertain the King and Queen of Belgium at Evere Airfield, Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
Gallery
External links
- Honor Roll - Knights of French Legion of Honor
- The Lafayette Flying Corps
- The Lafayette Escadrille - Memorial and Crypt
- Flying for France: With the American Escadrille at Verdun
- Aircraft of World War One
- Liste Des 269 Pilotes
- L’Escadrille Lafayette: Unité Volontaire de Combat Oubliée de l’Amérique
- Propaganda Postcards of the Great War, Dogfights
- Bernard Gineste: Sept escadrons étatsuniens à Étampes du 19 au 23 septembre 1917
- Monument La Fayette