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Name: Jacques Toussaint François Ortoli
Légion d'Honneur
Médaille Militaire
Croix de Guerre with 7 palms, 2 bronze stars		 Jacques Ortoli Military Cross (MC)
Croix de Guerre [Belgium]
Country: France
Rank: Lieutenant
Service: French Air Service
Units: MF8; N31, N77; Spa57
Victories: 11
Born: 16 July 1895
Place of Birth: Poggio di Tallano
Died: 19 June 1947
Place of Death: Tunis
 
 
Shot down twice by anti-aircraft fire during the course of the war, Ortoli joined the army on 2 September 1914. Already possessing a civilian pilot's license, he was assigned to the French Air Service, receiving a Pilot's Brevet on 30 September 1914. Posted to Escadrille MF8 on 15 October 1914, he scored his first victory in April 1915 but was wounded in action on 8 July 1915. Returning to duty on 3 September, he was posted to N31 on 7 October 1915 and scored his second and third victories in June 1916. Reassigned to N77 on 24 September 1916, he remained with this unit only a short time before rejoining N31 on 16 January 1917. Following a promotion in April 1918, he assumed command of Spa57 on 10 May 1918, serving with this unit until the end of the war and scoring eight more victories. Ortoli also served his country during World War II.
 
Médaille Militaire
"A pilot of exceptional skill and audacity. On 4 June 1916 he succeeded in downing an enemy plane behind our lines; he had already downed two others in the enemy lines on 28 April 1915 and 21 February 1916." Médaille Militaire citation, 13 June 1916
 
Légion d'Honneur
"Magnificent soldier and incomparable pilot with an admirable desire for combat. Has downed eight enemy planes, and has shown intelligence, tenacity and rare courage in his long distance reconnaissances. Cited five times in orders and the Médaille Militaire." Légion d'Honneur citation
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 28 Apr 1915 MF8  1 Rumpler C Miraumont
2 04 Jun 1916 N31   LVG C  
3 23 Jun 1917 N77   EA Cunel
4 06 Mar 1917 N77   EA Nogent l'Abbesse
5 23 Mar 1917 N77   EA Aumenancourt
6 24 Mar 1917 N77   EA N of Reims
7 25 Mar 1917 N77   EA Brimont
8 25 Mar 1917 N77   EA Freslon
9 19 Jun 1917 N77   EA 2  
10 19 Jun 1917 0720 N77   EA  
11 24 Jun 1917 N77   Two-seater Bouy
1 Observer Lt J Menj
2 Shared with S/Lt Jean Chaput, Lt Joseph de Sevin
 
Books
Over the Front
by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey / Hardcover / Grub Street the Basement (May 1992)
 
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