Jean Andre Pezon

Name:

Jean Andre Pezon

Country:

France

Rank:

Adjudant

Service:

French Air Service

Units:

Spa90

Victories:

Born:

10 March 1898

Place of Birth:

Saint-Pierre le Moutier

Died:

24 August 1980

Place of Death:

Pezon joined the army on 4 September 1915. For more than a year, he saw action with several artillery regiments in Africa before transferring to the French Air Service in 1917. He received his Pilot's Brevet on 22 May 1917, followed by more training and assignment to GDE. On 1 January 1918, he was posted to Spa90. Serving with this unit, Pezon was credited with downing 9 balloons and 1 two-seater. After the war ended, he remained with the FAS, served throughout World War II and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before he retired.

Médaille Militaire

"A fearless pilot with the will to prove it to all. He has rendered valuable service for the army by carrying out 20 severe combats in a scout, at low altitude and with particularly favorable results. He reported his third victory on 2 September 1918 by downing a balloon in flames, which he followed to the ground. He has returned frequently from missions with his plane rendered unfit for further use by enemy fire. Four citations." Médaille Militaire citation, 5 October 1918

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur

"A very brave non-commissioned officer. A pilot of the first order who gained ten official victories and never ceased to distinguish himself in his Escadrille by his spirit of initiative and remarkable dash. On 30 March 1918, he descended to within less than 30 meters of the station at Château-Salins, to strafe a train transporting enemy troops, killing 17 and wounding 28. He returned to his airfield with a plane riddled by bullets and shrapnel, in spite of the anti-aircraft barrages. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Six citations." Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 22 June 1919

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	17 May 1918	1800	Spa90		Balloon ¹	Juville
2	25 Jun 1918	1740	Spa90		Balloon ¹	Goin
3	02 Sep 1918	0930	Spa90		Balloon ²	Geline
4	03 Sep 1918	1730	Spa90		Balloon	Goin
5	15 Sep 1918	1130	Spa90		Balloon	Avricourt
6	16 Sep 1918	1030	Spa90		Balloon ³	Cirey
7	10 Oct 1918	1610	Spa90		Balloon ⁴	Geline
8	21 Oct 1918	1015	Spa90		Balloon ⁵	Avricourt
9	28 Oct 1918	1000	Spa90		Hannover CL ⁴	N of Champenoux
10	29 Oct 1918	1400	Spa90		Balloon ⁶	Geline

1	Shared with S/Lt Marius Ambrogi
2	Shared with S/Lt Marius Ambrogi, Adj Maurice Bizot
3	Shared with S/Lt Marius Ambrogi, Cpl Riviere
4	Shared with Adj Charles Macé
5	Shared with S/Lt Bordes, Adj Maurice Bizot
6	Shared with Adj Maurice Bizot, Cpl Alliot

Books

Over the Front: by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey / Hardcover / Grub Street the Basement (May 1992)