Jean Casale
Encyclopedia
Sous Lieutenant Jean Pie Hyacinthe Paul Jerome Casale, Marquis de Montferato was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was one of the few aces that survived the entire course of fighter aviation in the war.
. He scored his second win on 2 September 1916. By 10 December, he was an ace, with an observation balloon and four enemy planes shot down, including one shared with Maxime Lenoir
.
On 7 March 1917, Marquis Casale was honored with an appointment as Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. On 24 June, he received a temporary commission as Sous Lieutenant. He also added four more aerial victories scattered through 1917, with his ninth coming on 21 September.
Having been decorated with the Legion d'Honneur and the Medaille Militaire, as well as commissioned, he transferred to Escadrille 156 on 6 March 1918 to fly a Spad
. He had no success there, and was posted onwards to Escadrille 38, which was also equipped with Spads. There he shared a balloon with Georges Madon
on his day of arrival, 1 June 1918; he was then credited with three more enemy airplanes, with the final victory on 1 November 1918.
"Pursuit pilot of exceptional strength and bravery. Since the battle of Verdun, he has had more than 90 combats, returning several times with his plane riddled by enemy bullets. Decorated with the Médaille Militaire in May 1916, he has since downed five enemy aircraft. On 11 February 1917, he attacked a balloon, strafing it to a very low altitude. Pursued during the course of this attack by two enemy planes, he engaged them in the most violent combat at 10 kilometers behind their lines; he returned with his plane badly damaged. Two wounds, four citations in army orders." (Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation)
Médaille Militaire
"Pilot of exceptional courage who, for more than a year, has rendered distinguished service in an Army Corps Escadrille, then in a pursuit Escadrille. Specializing in reconnaissances of long duration, he always executed these missions by having numerous and difficult aerial combats. On 26 April 1916, attacked by two enemy planes, he put them to flight successively and continued his reconnaissance although his plane was seriously hit by enemy bullets. Already cited in army orders." (Médaille Militaire citation)
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 few aces that survived the entire course of fighter aviation in the war.
Early military service
The marquis joined the military on 1 October 1913. He was posted to the 8eme Regiment de Chausseurs as an enlisted soldier. When World War I began, he requested transfer to aviation duty, with his reassignment coming after exactly one year of service. He received Pilot's Brevet No. 837 on 20 April 1915. One month later, on 20 May, he was assigned to 1er Groupe d'Aviation. He quickly moved on to Escadrille 8 as a pilot flying Maurice Farmans, as he was promoted to Caporal there on 5 June.Success as a flying ace
He scored a pioneering aerial victory on 8 July 1915. He was posted to Escadrille 23 for a bit, and was promoted to Sergent on 21 August 1915. He then switched to Escadrille 67 on 21 January 1916. He returned to Escadrille 23 on 1 March 1916. Casale was awarded the Medaille Militaire on 19 May 1916. On 15 August, he was promoted to AdjutantAdjutant
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...
. He scored his second win on 2 September 1916. By 10 December, he was an ace, with an observation balloon and four enemy planes shot down, including one shared with Maxime Lenoir
Maxime Lenoir
Adjutant Maxime Albert Lenoir was a pioneering World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Lenoir trained as a pilot in 1913, receiving Pilot's Brevet No. 1564 on 5 December, and so was serving in aviation when World War I began. He completed his military training, receiving...
.
On 7 March 1917, Marquis Casale was honored with an appointment as Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. On 24 June, he received a temporary commission as Sous Lieutenant. He also added four more aerial victories scattered through 1917, with his ninth coming on 21 September.
Having been decorated with the Legion d'Honneur and the Medaille Militaire, as well as commissioned, he transferred to Escadrille 156 on 6 March 1918 to fly 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:...
. He had no success there, and was posted onwards to Escadrille 38, which was also equipped with Spads. There he shared a balloon 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:...
on his day of arrival, 1 June 1918; he was then credited with three more enemy airplanes, with the final victory on 1 November 1918.
Honors and awards
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur"Pursuit pilot of exceptional strength and bravery. Since the battle of Verdun, he has had more than 90 combats, returning several times with his plane riddled by enemy bullets. Decorated with the Médaille Militaire in May 1916, he has since downed five enemy aircraft. On 11 February 1917, he attacked a balloon, strafing it to a very low altitude. Pursued during the course of this attack by two enemy planes, he engaged them in the most violent combat at 10 kilometers behind their lines; he returned with his plane badly damaged. Two wounds, four citations in army orders." (Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation)
Médaille Militaire
"Pilot of exceptional courage who, for more than a year, has rendered distinguished service in an Army Corps Escadrille, then in a pursuit Escadrille. Specializing in reconnaissances of long duration, he always executed these missions by having numerous and difficult aerial combats. On 26 April 1916, attacked by two enemy planes, he put them to flight successively and continued his reconnaissance although his plane was seriously hit by enemy bullets. Already cited in army orders." (Médaille Militaire citation)
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.
- 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 0948817542, 9780948817540.