Jacques Andre

Jacques André (25 February 1919 – 2 April 1988) was a French fighter pilot in the Normandie-Niemen Regiment, which flew on the Eastern Front of World War II. He was one of four French citizens awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and is attributed with 11 confirmed victories.

After World War II he competed in the men's 400 metres hurdles at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

Wartime service Jacques André enlisted in the French Air Force on April 15, 1939. On December 13, 1939 and began his studies at the . He graduated at the top of his class on February 18, 1940 and became an instructor at the École de l'air et de l'espace in the Salon-de-Provence. During the Italian invasion of France, when Marseille was bombed by the Italians, General Staff sent students to the airbase in .

Appointed as a ferry pilot in North Africa, André crossed the Mediterranean numerous times. When his father, Géo André, told him of his desire to reach Algeria, he found a Caudron Simoun in a hangar. Taking off in the dead of night, under fire from sentries they reached the on June 26, 1940. While André was not immediately assigned to Groupe de chasse II/3, he was eager to take the controls of one of the Dewoitine D.520s available at the base and convinced the company commander to integrate him into a squadron on October 30, 1940. Seven months later when the Syria–Lebanon campaign erupted in June 1941, Jacques André fought against British troops in the Vichy French Air Force. .

List of credited aerial victories

Medals and awards

Legion of Honour Croix de Guerre Order of the Patriotic War Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" Hero of the Soviet Union Order of Lenin Order of the Red Banner