Maréchal-des-logis Pierre Marie Joseph Cardon (30 October 1894
– 4 December 1987
) was a French World War I
balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness, as balloons were stationary targets able to receive heavy defenses, from the ground and the air. Seventy-seven fl ...
credited with five aerial victories over enemy
observation balloon
An observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War ...
s.
[The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/cardon.php Retrieved 1 August 2020]
Biography
Pierre Marie Joseph Cardon was born 30 October 1894 in
Armentières
Armentières (; vls, Armentiers) is a commune in the Nord department in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It is part of the Métropole Européenne de Lille.
The motto of the town is ''Pauvre mais fière'' (Poor but proud).
Geogra ...
, France. He joined the French army on 29 August 1914, in the early days of World War I. He was transferred to aviation duty as a mechanic on 3 April 1916. In January 1917, he was sent to pilot's training. Upon completion, he was retained as an instructor until October, when he was forwarded for advanced training in single-seat airplanes. On 15 December 1917, he would be posted to ''Escadrille 81''. During May and June 1918, in consort with other French pilots, he would undergo the extremely hazards of
balloon busting five enemy observation balloons.
[Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 128]
He is known to have won the ''
Médaille Militaire'' and the ''
Croix de Guerre
The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...
''.
[
]
Endnotes
References
* Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). ''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918.'' London, UK: Grub Street Publishing. .
*
1894 births
1987 deaths
French World War I flying aces
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