Captain Richard Michael Trevethan (born 24 January 1895, date of death unknown) was a World War I 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 twelve aerial victories.

Early life

Richard Michael Trevethan was born in the United States, though which one is open to question; however, he claimed English citizenship. He was raised at St. Kew

St. Kew

St Kew is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The principal settlements in the parish are the church town, St Kew, and nearby St Kew Highway ....

, Cornwall, England.

World War I service

On 22 September 1914, Trevethan was commissioned a Temporary Second Lieutenant. On 14 May 1917, he transferred from his home regiment to the General List of Royal Flying Corps

Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...

.

Trevethan first scored on 2 June 1917, piloting a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d for 20 Squadron. His string ran until 9 August 1917. While he had fellow ace John Cowell

John Cowell (aviator)

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.-Success as an observer:...

 as gunner for a victory, Campbell Hoy

Campbell Hoy

Group Captain Campbell Alexander Hoy began his military career as a flying ace during World War I, with eleven aerial victories. He served through the end of World War II.-Early life:...

's nine wins while manning the guns was the backbone of Trevethan's effort. In the end, Trevethan was credited with destroying six Albatros

Albatros Flugzeugwerke

Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...

 fighters and driving down as many out of control.

Post World War I

On 1 August 1919, Trevethan was granted a permanent commission as a Pilot Officer

Pilot Officer

Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...

.

On 1 December 1932, he was promoted to Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader

Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...

.

Richard Michael Trevethan died in his native Cornwall on 30 December 1971.

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC)

T./2nd Lt. Richard Michael Trevethan, Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when on offensive patrols. He has continuously displayed the greatest dash and determination in attacking enemy formations, regardless of their superiority in numbers, and has shot down at least four, driving others down out of control.

Reference