David Putnam

David Endicott Putnam (1895 - 1918) is a American As of aviation of the Great War.

Biography

Born on December 10th, 1895 with Boston (Massachussets), this student of the university of Harvard, descendant of a general of the War of American Independence, engages in the French Foreign legion with the title of the Aviation on June 12th 1917. He precedes thus, shortly after the declaration of American war, the entry in effective war of his country.

Patented Pilot on October 17th 1917, it joined the NR 156 next in December, then Spa 38 in June 1918. From January in June 1918, it records nine air victories under the French uniform.

Fighter pilot confirmed flying on SPAD S.XIII, the young person American Aviateur is transferred in the 139e flotilla from the US Army Air Service at the end of June 1918. Specialist in the missions of in-depth interception behind the enemy lines, it on the whole capitalizes thirteen approved victories. Sixteen others, probable, were not confirmed.

The lieutenant Putnam pilot is cut down in aerial combat by the German ace Georg von Hantelmann on September 12th 1918 close to Limey (Meurthe-et-Moselle). On this date, it was the ace of the aces of the American army by the number of its victories.

The young officer was titular French decorations of the Military decoration and Légion of honor. He accepted the Distinguished Service Cross-country race on a purely posthumous basis in 1919.

Its body is buried under the Mémorial of the Flotilla Fayette , in the park of Marnes-the-Vain.

External sources

Card of David Putnam on '' Mémoire of the Men ''
Biography and photograph of the lieutenant Putnam
Quotations and prize list of the victories of Putnam

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