Lionel de Marmier

Lionel Alexandre Pierre de Marmier was a World War I flying ace credited with six confirmed aerial victories in World War I. He remained involved in aviation postwar, setting flying records and serving in the Spanish Civil War. At the start of World War II, he returned to his nation's service, shooting down at least one German plane. He died in an air crash on 30 December 1944. He was posthumously promoted to General.

Biography

Lionel Alexandre Pierre de Marmier was born in Bellegarde-en-Marche, France on 4 December 1897.

World War I service

He began military service on 12 January 1916, with an aviation unit. On 15 March 1916, he went for pilot training. He graduated initial training with his Military Pilot's Brevet on 2 July 1916. After advanced training, he was posted to Escadrille 112 on 1 December 1916. He rose through the enlisted ranks while serving with them, reaching the rank of Adjutant on 5 December 1917.

World War II service In September 1939, de Marmier returned to duty with his nation with the rank of Commandant. Marmier claimed at least one German plane on 3 June 1940, while he was flying a Caudron C.714 with the Polish pilots of GC 1/145 'Varsovie'. After the French surrender, he joined the Free French Air Force. In September 1941 he was ordered by General Charles de Gaulle to set up and take command of a new Free French air transport service, intended to link Free French colonies. He was given the rank of Général de brigade (Brigadier general) on 25 September 1944. On 30 December 1944, de Marmier was in command of a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar which disappeared over the Mediterranean Sea. His body was found by an American patrol boat near Sicily on 4 April 1945.

Awards and honors Médaille Militaire: "Elite pilot, every day giving new proof of his exceptional qualities of ardor and bravery. Always volunteers for the most perilous missions and has brilliantly distinguished himself during the combats in which he has engaged, forcing six enemy planes to return disabled to their lines, and by downing three others, two during the course of the same day." Médaille Militaire citation, 9 April 1918

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur: "Pursuit pilot of brilliant bravery who, because of his temerity, never bothered to count the number of his adversaries. He reported seven official victories, and several others not confirmed. He was wounded in one combat and in another his plane burned. One wound, eight citations." Légion d'Honneur citation, 16 June 1920

He was raised to the rank of Officier in the Legion on 15 February 1930, and to Commandeur in January 1936.

He also won the Croix de guerre during World War I.

Sources of information