Solomon Clifford Joseph
Encyclopedia
Captain Solomon Clifford Joseph, DFC
, was a flying ace
for the Royal Naval Air Service
during World War I. He was credited with thirteen confirmed aerial victories.
pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 7 May 1918, and continued to string out a dozen wins stretching through 3 September 1918; he teamed up to share victories with such fellow aces as Alfred Williams Carter
and Clement W. Payton
in several cases. On 21 September, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. Three days later, he was wounded in action
. He recovered in time to round off his victory string with a final win on 30 October 1918. Three days later, he was granted a Bar to his DFC in lieu of a second award. In the midst of all this, he had been appointed a Flight Commander, with its accompanying temporary promotion to Captain.
In the final analysis, Joseph had destroyed five enemy airplanes by himself, shared in destroying two others, drove three down out of control, and teamed up to drive another one down out of combat. He also was a balloon buster
, being one of three pilots responsible for destroying a German observation balloon
.
On 24 November 1925, Joseph dissolved a partnership in a munitions recycling business.
On 8 April 1927, acting as executor, he posted notice of probate for the estate of Michael Joseph.
Lieut. Solomon Clifford Joseph (Sea Patrol).
A gallant pilot who has accounted for eight enemy aircraft within the past four months. On many occasions the enemy were numerically superior to Lieutenant Joseph's patrol, but this did not prevent his attaining success.
Bar for Distinguished Flying Cross
Lt. (T./Capt.) Solomon Clifford Joseph, D.F.C., Sea Patrol.
A very gallant and skilful officer. Helped his formation under a large force of enemy aircraft with a view to inducing them
to descend to attack him. In this ruse deguerre he was successful, and, in accordance with arrangements previously made, another
formation of our machines then appeared on the scene, and a combined attack was made on the enemy, resulting in the destruction
of four aeroplanes and three more being brought down completely out of control.
Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was conferred on this officer less than two months ago he has personally destroyed one enemy machine, brought down another out of control, and has helped to destroy a third. Captain Joseph was wounded on the occasion of the combined attack.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, was a 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...
for the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
during World War I. He was credited with thirteen confirmed aerial victories.
World War I
Joseph joined the RNAS in August 1917. He trained as a pilot and was first assigned to 12 Squadron RNAS. He quickly transferred to 10 Squadron RNAS in February 1918 as a Sopwith CamelSopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 7 May 1918, and continued to string out a dozen wins stretching through 3 September 1918; he teamed up to share victories with such fellow aces as Alfred Williams Carter
Alfred Williams Carter
Alfred Williams Carter DSC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 17 victories....
and Clement W. Payton
Clement W. Payton
Lieutenant Clement Wattson Payton, DFC was an English World War I flying ace credited with 11 official victories.-Early life:...
in several cases. On 21 September, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. Three days later, he was wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
. He recovered in time to round off his victory string with a final win on 30 October 1918. Three days later, he was granted a Bar to his DFC in lieu of a second award. In the midst of all this, he had been appointed a Flight Commander, with its accompanying temporary promotion to Captain.
In the final analysis, Joseph had destroyed five enemy airplanes by himself, shared in destroying two others, drove three down out of control, and teamed up to drive another one down out of combat. He also was a balloon buster
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
, being one of three pilots responsible for destroying a German observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
.
Post World War I
On 4 April 1919, Joseph was transferred to the Royal Air Force's unemployed list.On 24 November 1925, Joseph dissolved a partnership in a munitions recycling business.
On 8 April 1927, acting as executor, he posted notice of probate for the estate of Michael Joseph.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying CrossLieut. Solomon Clifford Joseph (Sea Patrol).
A gallant pilot who has accounted for eight enemy aircraft within the past four months. On many occasions the enemy were numerically superior to Lieutenant Joseph's patrol, but this did not prevent his attaining success.
Bar for Distinguished Flying Cross
Lt. (T./Capt.) Solomon Clifford Joseph, D.F.C., Sea Patrol.
A very gallant and skilful officer. Helped his formation under a large force of enemy aircraft with a view to inducing them
to descend to attack him. In this ruse deguerre he was successful, and, in accordance with arrangements previously made, another
formation of our machines then appeared on the scene, and a combined attack was made on the enemy, resulting in the destruction
of four aeroplanes and three more being brought down completely out of control.
Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was conferred on this officer less than two months ago he has personally destroyed one enemy machine, brought down another out of control, and has helped to destroy a third. Captain Joseph was wounded on the occasion of the combined attack.
External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/joseph.php Retrieved on 23 September 2010.
Reference
- Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.