Charles Nuville

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marie Joseph Leon Nuville (March 1889 – 18 January 1965) was a French World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories. He served as a professional soldier throughout the interwar years, and through World War II.

Early life Charles Marie Joseph Leon Nuville was born on 4 March 1889 in Puybrun.

Aerial success

Nuville would not score his first aerial victory until 24 September 1917; in exactly one year, he would score a dozen. In all but one instance, he shared the victories with one or more fellow French pilots, including such fellow aces as Jean Alfred Fraissinet, Marius Hasdenteufel, Andre Petit-Delchet, Jean Dubois de Gennes, and Marcel Haegelen.

Promotions and honors

On 6 November 1917, Nuville was commissioned a Temporary Sous lieutenant. This commission was confirmed on 1 July 1918. On 8 August 1918, he was appointed a Chevalier de Légion d'honneur in a citation that dubbed him, "Elite officer, model of bravery, taking part daily in difficult combats where his skill and audacity always win over his adversaries thereby gaining for him the admiration of those around him. During recent battles his efforts have been superb. He reported his 10th official victory by downing a plane behind our lines." On 6 November 1918, he was appointed to command of a Spad Squadron, Escadrille 54. A month later, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Now that the war was over, he had, in addition to his Légion d'honneur, his country's Croix de Guerre with five palmes and five étoiles de vermeil, the Belgian Croix de guerre, and the Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor.

Post World War I Nuville remained in military service after World War I. In 1919, he was elevated to the status of Officier de Légion d'honneur. He was still in service when World War II began, and defended his nation as a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 5e Escadre de chasse. He finally retired in 1945.

Endnotes