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James Meissner [USA]

Name:James "Jimmy" Armand Meissner
Country:United States
Rank:Captain
Service:United States Air Service
Squadrons:94th Aero, 147th Aero
Victories:8
Born:20 July 1896
Place of Birth:Londonderry, Nova Scotia
Died:16 January 1936
Place of Death:Birmingham, Alabama
Croix de Guerre
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) with Oak Leaf Cluster
James Meissner
Notes
An undergraduate at Cornell University, Meissner dropped out of school to join the United States Air Service in 1917. On 17 March 1918, he was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron in France, scoring four confirmed victories while flying the Nieuport 28. In July, he assumed command of the 147th Aero Squadron, scoring four more victories while flying the SPAD S.XIII. After the war, Meissner organized the Alabama National Guard in 1920 and for a time, served as its commanding officer.

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
"For extraordinary heroism in action in the Toul Sector on 2 May 1918. He attacked three enemy planes at an altitude of 4,800 meters over the Foret de la Rappe, France. After a short fight, he brought down one of the machines in flames. During the combat, the entering wedge and the covering of the upper wings of Lt. Meissner's plane were torn away and after the battle he was subjected to heavy fire from antiaircraft batteries but by skillful operation and cool judgement, he succeeded in making a landing within the American lines." DSC citation

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