Jacques Swaab

Lieutenant Jacques Michael Swaab (21 April 1894 – 7 July 1963) was an American World War I flying ace with the 22nd Aero Squadron who was credited with ten victories. He later worked in the Hollywood film industry.

World War I service Swaab reported to the 22nd Aero Squadron on 27 August 1918 and, flying a SPAD XIII, participated in air operations during the battles at Toul, Saint-Mihiel, and the Argonne.

His first combat patrol was on 8 September when he downed a German observation plane and two Fokker D.VIIs, although Swaab was slightly wounded. Twenty days later, he and Lt. James Beane shot down another D.VII, garnering a victory for both of them. On 23 October, Swaab became an ace by downing a Fokker D.VII in flames at 1140 hours that had just destroyed an American balloon. This was probably flown by German ace Max Näther of Jasta 62. Half an hour later, he knocked down a Rumpler two-seater for his sixth victory. On 27 October, he shot down a D.VII solo and shared a victory over a DFW with Clinton Jones. Two days later, he once again shared a victory claim over a D.VII with Beane. On the last day of October, he shot down an LVG observation aircraft.

The ten confirmed victories made him the top scoring ace of the 22nd Aero; his seven unconfirmed claims, if verified, would have made him one of the leading American aces of the war.

Later life In 1938, Swaab served as technical advisor on the film The Dawn Patrol, starring Errol Flynn and David Niven.