Jean Andre Pezon
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Jean Andre Pezon began his military career during World War I and became a flying ace
credited with ten confirmed aerial victories. He served his nation through World War II and into the Korean War.
for pilot's training on 27 February 1917. He moved on to Étampes
on 12 March. On 22 May 1917, he was awarded Military Pilot's Brevet No. 6485. On 7 August, he was promoted to enlisted Brigadier
and forwarded to Avord
and Pau for advanced training.
On 1 January 1918, Pezon was assigned to Escadrille 90 as a Spad
fighter pilot. On 16 March, he was promoted to Maréchal-des-logis. On 17 May 1918, he began his campaign against German aerial observers by teaming with Marius Ambrogi
to destroy an enemy observation balloon
near Juville
. Cooperating with Ambrogi, Maurice Bizot
, Charles J. V. Macé
, and other French pilots, Pezon drove his score as a balloon buster
to nine by 29 October 1918; he also downed a German two-seater reconnaissance plane.
Pezon's professional success paralleled his victory string. He was advanced to Adjutant
on 25 June 1918. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire on 5 October to add to his Croix de Guerre; the text of the accompanying citation noted, "He has returned frequently from missions with his plane rendered unfit for further use by enemy fire."
He was elevated within the Legion d'Honneur in 1936, becoming an Officier. The following year, on 14 July, he was promoted to Captain; it was a reserve commission.
On 25 June 1944, he was again promoted within the reserves, to Commandant
. On 1 February 1952, he received his final promotion, to lieutenant colonel. The last day of 1952, the Legion d'Honneur made him a Commandeur. He was also appointed an Officier in the Tunisian Ordre du Micham-Iftikhar.
When Jean Andre Pezon died on 24 August 1980, he was the last known living French ace from World War I.
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 ten confirmed aerial victories. He served his nation through World War II and into the Korean War.
World War I
Pezon volunteered for military service on 4 September 1915, while he was still 17 years old. He was assigned to various artillery units until he was forwarded to DijonDijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
for pilot's training on 27 February 1917. He moved on to Étampes
Étampes
Étampes is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southwest from the center of Paris . Étampes is a sub-prefecture of the Essonne department....
on 12 March. On 22 May 1917, he was awarded Military Pilot's Brevet No. 6485. On 7 August, he was promoted to enlisted Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
and forwarded 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...
and Pau for advanced training.
On 1 January 1918, Pezon was assigned to Escadrille 90 as a Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
fighter pilot. On 16 March, he was promoted to Maréchal-des-logis. On 17 May 1918, he began his campaign against German aerial observers by teaming with Marius Ambrogi
Marius Ambrogi
Sous Lieutenant Marius Jean Paul Elzeard Ambrogi flew as a fighter pilot in both World Wars. He became a flying ace during World War I, with fourteen aerial victories; he added another "kill" during World War II...
to destroy an enemy 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....
near Juville
Juville
Juville is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France....
. Cooperating with Ambrogi, Maurice Bizot
Maurice Bizot
Adjutant Maurice Bizot was a French World War I flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:Bizot joined the French military on 8 January 1915. Rated a soldat de 2e classe, he was assigned to 11e Regiment d'Artillerie a pied. He was promoted to enlisted Brigadier on 6 April...
, Charles J. V. Macé
Charles J. V. Macé
Adjutant Charles Jean Vincent Macé was a French flying ace during World War I. He shot down eight German observation balloons and four enemy airplanes for confirmed victories....
, and other French pilots, Pezon drove his score as 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....
to nine by 29 October 1918; he also downed a German two-seater reconnaissance plane.
Pezon's professional success paralleled his victory string. He was advanced 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 25 June 1918. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire on 5 October to add to his Croix de Guerre; the text of the accompanying citation noted, "He has returned frequently from missions with his plane rendered unfit for further use by enemy fire."
Post World War I
On 22 June 1919, having been mentioned six times in dispatches, he was appointed a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur; the citation noted that he pressed home an attack on a German troop train to "within 30 metres". On 16 August, he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant. Exactly two years later, he was promoted to Lieutenant.He was elevated within the Legion d'Honneur in 1936, becoming an Officier. The following year, on 14 July, he was promoted to Captain; it was a reserve commission.
On 25 June 1944, he was again promoted within the reserves, to Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
. On 1 February 1952, he received his final promotion, to lieutenant colonel. The last day of 1952, the Legion d'Honneur made him a Commandeur. He was also appointed an Officier in the Tunisian Ordre du Micham-Iftikhar.
When Jean Andre Pezon died on 24 August 1980, he was the last known living French ace from World War I.
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.