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Charles Nungesser [France]

Name:Charles Eugene Jules Marie NungesserBalloon Buster
Country:France
Rank:Lieutenant
Service:French Air Service
Squadrons:V106, V116; N65; Spa65
Victories:43
Born:15 March 1892
Place of Birth:Paris
Died:On or after 8 May 1927Killed In Flying Accident
Place of Death:Lost at sea
Légion d'Honneur
Médaille Militaire
Croix de Guerre with 28 Palms and 2 Etoiles
Charles NungesserDistinguished Service Cross (DSC - United States)
Military Cross (MC)
Croix de Guerre [Belgium]

Notes
Despite terrible injuries, including a twice broken jaw and dislocated knee, Nungesser achieved ten victories in the battle of Verdun.

Nungesser's death remains a mystery. On 8 May 1927, he and Francois Coli left LeBourget Field near Paris on an historic nonstop flight to New York in a biplane called l'Oiseau Blanc (the White Bird). They were never seen again. Following an exhaustive investigation, the French government published a report in 1984 which concluded that Nungesser probably reached North America.


Medical Record
"Skull fracture, brain concussion, internal injuries (multiple), five fractures of the upper jaw, two fractures of lower jaw, piece of anti-aircraft shrapnel imbedded in right arm, dislocation of knees (left and right), re-dislocation of left knee, bullet wound in mouth, bullet wound in ear, atrophy of tendons in left leg, atrophy of muscles in calf, dislocated clavicle, dislocated wrist, dislocated right ankle, loss of teeth, contusions too numerous to mention." Injuries sustained by Charles Nungesser during World War I

Médaille Militaire
"Brigadier of the 2nd Light Cavalry Regiment; on 3 September 1914, with his officer having been wounded during the course of a reconnaissance, he at first sheltered him, then with the assistance of several foot soldiers, after having replaced the officer who was disabled, he secured an auto and brought back the papers by crossing an area under fire by the enemy." Médaille Militaire citation

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Pilot detached at his own request to an Escadrille in the rear, has never ceased since his arrival to seek any occasion to fly; flying up to four hours, thirty minutes each day in spite of the inclement weather. During the course of his last combat he gave proof of the highest moral qualities by approaching to within 10 meters the enemy machine he was pursuing firing in response up to the last moment. He succeeded in downing his adversary which caught fire and exploded in front of the French trenches." Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur citation, 4 December 1915

Officier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Incomparable pursuit pilot, with exceptional knowledge and magnificent bravery, which reflect the power and inflexible will of his ancestry. In the cavalry, where during his first engagements he earned the Médaille Militaire, then in a groupe de bombardment where for his daily prowess he was cited several times in orders and was decorated with the Legion of Honor, and finally with an Escadrille de chasse, for thirty months his exploits were prodigious, and he always presented himself as a superb example of tenacity and audacity, displaying an arrogant contempt for death. Absent from the front several times because of crashes and wounds, his ferocious energy was not dampened, and he returned each time to the fray, with his spirit undaunted gaining victory after victory, finally becoming famous as the most feared adversary for German aviation. 31 enemy aircraft downed, three balloons flamed, two wounds, fifteen citations." Officier de la Legion d'Honneur citation, 19 May 1918

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