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Adolphe Pègoud [France]

Name:Adolphe Celestin Pègoud
Country:France
Rank:Sous Lieutenant
Service:French Air Service
Squadrons:MF25; MS37, MS49
Victories:6
Born:13 June 1889
Place of Birth:Montferrat
Died:31 August 1915Killed In Action
Place of Death:
Légion d'Honneur
Médaille Militaire
Adolphe Pègoud

Notes
Having served in the French army for several years,  Pègoud was discharged from service on 13 February 1913. Pursuing an interest in aviation, he obtained a civilian Pilot's Brevet on 1 March 1913. On 19 August 1913, he became the first man in Europe to descend from an aircraft in a parachute. Less than a month later, he became the first pilot to perform a loop, and during World War I, he was the first ace to be killed in aerial combat. Pègoud was shot down by a German two-seater piloted by his former student, Unteroffizier Kandulski.

Médaille Militaire
"Adjutant reservist of an aviation group; has pursued enemy planes on several occasions. On 5 February 1915, he attacked a scout from a short distance causing it to fall; immediately afterwards, he attacked two two-seaters causing the first to fall and forcing the second to land." Médaille Militaire citation

Légion d'Honneur
"Sous Lieutenant (Reserve) of Escadrille MS49, with a spirit and bravery beyond words; also a modest and skillful pilot, who has never ceased since the start of the war to put his marvelous aptitudes to the service of his country. Accumulating daily the traits of courage and audacity, he has attacked heavily armed planes alone countless times. On 28 August 1915, during the course of an aerial duel, his plane was riddled by bullets and he was forced to land and immediately took every means available to save his plane in spite of intense German fire." Chevalier Légion d'Honneur citation

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