Paul Santelli

Maréchal-des-logis Paul Marie Raphael Santelli was a French World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was a balloon buster, all of his victories being over observation balloons.

Biography See also aerial victory standards of World War I

Paul Marie Raphael Santelli was born in Miramas, France on 12 February 1898.

On 18 April 1917, he became an artilleryman. He soon transferred to aviation training, receiving his Military Pilot's Brevet on 3 October 1917. He then underwent advanced training before being posted to Escadrille Spa.81 on 1 February 1918.

By war's end, Paul Santelli had flown over 103 combat hours. For his valor, he was awarded the Médaille militaire and the Croix de Guerre.

Santelli's interest in aviation outlasted the war, as he was killed in a flying accident in Uruguay on 15 January 1928.

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