John Cowell (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Sergeant John J. Cowell was an Irish World War I flying ace
credited with 16 aerial victories. Although he scored 15 of his victories as a gunner, he did move on to score once more as a pilot.
1917. He successfully manned the rear guns of a Bristol F.2 Fighter
for such other aces as Richard M. Trevethan
, Cecil Roy Richards
, Reginald Condon, and Oliver Vickers. Beginning on 5 May 1917, and extending through 28 July, Cowell scored fifteen victories, destroying a German two-seater reconnaissance plane and five German fighters, and driving down nine more German fighters out of control. For his valor during these fights, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 11 June 1918, as well as the Military Medal with Bar.
Friedrich Ritter von Röth
of Jasta 16
.
78171 Sjt. J. Cowell, R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry whilst assisting as an
aerial gunner during bomb raids. He showed
remarkable skill and judgment in
the eight combats in which he has been engaged, and on several occasions has shot
down hostile air craft.
Military Medal awarded by order of His Majesty the King on 27 October 1916.
Bar to the Military Medal awarded in lieu of second award of MM, on 27 September 1917.
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. Although he scored 15 of his victories as a gunner, he did move on to score once more as a pilot.
Success as an observer
Sergeant Cowell joined 20 Squadron as an observer/gunner during Bloody AprilBloody April
During the First World War, the month of April 1917 was known as Bloody April by the Royal Flying Corps . The RFC suffered particularly severe losses — about three times as many as the Imperial German Army Air Service over the same period — but continued its primary role in support of the ground...
1917. He successfully manned the rear guns of a Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
for such other aces as Richard M. Trevethan
Richard M. Trevethan
Captain Richard Michael Trevethan was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.-Early life:...
, Cecil Roy Richards
Cecil Roy Richards
Lieutenant Cecil Roy Richards was an Australian flying ace of World War I. He was credited with twelve aerial victories.Cecil Roy Richards' father was named Alf. The younger Richards enlisted on 16 March 1915. He served on ground duty in both Gallipolli and France before transferring to the Royal...
, Reginald Condon, and Oliver Vickers. Beginning on 5 May 1917, and extending through 28 July, Cowell scored fifteen victories, destroying a German two-seater reconnaissance plane and five German fighters, and driving down nine more German fighters out of control. For his valor during these fights, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 11 June 1918, as well as the Military Medal with Bar.
Death in action as a pilot
He was then posted to Home Establishment. While there, he trained as a pilot. He returned to 20 Squadron to pilot a "Brisfit" from the front seat, and scored his final victory a year and a day after his fifteenth. The following day, 30 July 1918, he was shot down and killed by balloon busterBalloon 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....
Friedrich Ritter von Röth
Friedrich Ritter von Röth
Oberleutnant Friedrich Ritter von Röth was a German World War I fighter ace with 28 victories. He was the most successful German pilot at shooting down enemy observation balloons; 20 of his triumphs were against them.-Early service:Friedrich Röth served originally in an artillery regiment. He was...
of Jasta 16
Jasta 16
Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was a "hunting group" of the Luftstreitkräfte, which was the World War I forerunner to the Nazi Luftwaffe.-History:...
.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded on 18 July 191778171 Sjt. J. Cowell, R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry whilst assisting as an
aerial gunner during bomb raids. He showed
remarkable skill and judgment in
the eight combats in which he has been engaged, and on several occasions has shot
down hostile air craft.
Military Medal awarded by order of His Majesty the King on 27 October 1916.
Bar to the Military Medal awarded in lieu of second award of MM, on 27 September 1917.