Name: René Paul Fonck
Country: France
Rank: Capitaine
Service: French Air Service
Units: C47; Spa103
Victories: 75
Date Of Birth: March 27, 1894
Place of Birth: Saulcy-sur-Meurthe
Date Of Death: June 1953
Place of Death: ParisFonck was the highest scoring ace for France and the Allies. As
a boy growing up in the foothills of the Vosges, he was fascinated
by stories of men and their flying machines. Yet when he was
conscripted in August of 1914, he refused to serve in the French
Air Service, choosing instead to go to the trenches. By early
1915, he had changed his mind and began his flight training in a
Penguin at Saint-Cyr. Displaying an inherent talent for flying, he
was soon serving with Escadrille C47, flying an unarmed Caudron on
reconnaissance missions over the lines.
In April of 1917, after more than 500 hours of flight time,
Fonck was assigned to Spa103. Flying the SPAD S.VII, he developed
a reputation for studying the tactics of his opponents and
conserving ammunition during a dogfight. On two separate
occasions, he shot down six enemy aircraft in one day.
As his fame grew, so did his ego and Fonck never achieved the
admiration and popularity of Georges Guynemer. Even French ace
Claude Haegelen, one of Fonck's few friends, felt he boasted too
much and too often; but no one could deny that Fonck was an
excellent pilot and superb marksman.
Médaille Militaire
"A pilot of remarkable bravery, skill and spirit, having already
engaged in a great number of aerial combats. On August 6, 1916, he
resolutely attacked two strongly armed enemy planes, took on one
in pursuit, and by a series of bold and skilful maneuvers, forced
it to land uninjured within our lines. He has been cited in orders
twice." Médaille Militaire citation, 1916
Légion d'Honneur
"A fighting pilot of great value, combining outstanding bravery
and exceptional qualities of skill and sang-froid. He came to
pursuit aviation after 500 hours of flight on army corps aircraft
and became, in a short time, one of the best French combat pilots.
On August 19, 20 and 21, 1917, he shot down his 8th, 9th and 10th
enemy aircraft. He has already been cited seven times in orders,
and has received the Médaille Militaire for feats of war." Legion
d'Honneur citation, 1917
Officier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Remarkable officer from every point of view; of admirable
fighting ardor. Pilot of the highest order, for reconnaissance
missions and artillery range intelligence, as well as for
surveillance service that he completed many times despite very
unfavorable atmospheric conditions. He demonstrated, during the
course of an uninterrupted series of aerial combats, an
exceptional strength and will to win, which sets an example for
the French chasse pilots of today. Has shot down thirty six enemy
planes. Seventeen citations, Médaille Militaire and Chevalier de
la Legion d'Honneur for feats of war." Officier de la Legion
d'Honneur citation, May 12, 1918.
