Escadrille 120

[Croix de Guerre]

I am beginning to research an American who volunteered to serve as an observer with Escadrille 120 from July to October 1918. My question is, although he was in the USAS when he volunteered, would the French archives have any information on his service during the volunteer time period? If so, have any of you had any luck searching personell record files in the French archives, or does any one know if they even exsist?

[Froggy]

Bonsoir

Onn the French site memoire des hommes, you can find on-line some informations about airmen of 14/18 (french or americans if they had served
in french escadrille)
SGA - Mémoire des hommes

Here are informations for exemple about 2 pilots who served in escadrille BR 120

Roger H.Clapp

SGA - mémoire des hommes - Fiche

John Cotton

SGA - mémoire des hommes - Fiche

Cordialement
Bruno

[AZ Aviator]

Who is the observer in question? Wings of Honor by James J. Sloan lists most all airmen who served in Allied air services. I'm confused because the message indicates that the observer was already in the U.S. Air Service, and I've never heard of an airman transferring from the USAS to a French Escadrille; however, a transfer would work the other way, i.e., he could transfer from French Escadrille 120 to the USAS. What happened to him in October 1918?

[Croix de Guerre]

His name was Lt. Howard Eales. According to my information he was one of 35 American loaned to the French in March 1918 and he served as observer with Spa 120 until he transferred to the 91st Aero Squadron in late November. He flew 23 Missions with the French and logged 78 combat hours receiving the Croix de Guerre. He is listed in Wings on page 183.

[Croix de Guerre]

Merci Froggy,

I tried his name but was unable to find anything. Perhaps I should write to the various ministries, if he served with Spa 120 there should be a record some where.

Also, does any one know if Escadrille 120 had a squadron insignia and if so what did it look like?

[Froggy]

Yes thomas
BR 120 had a squadron insignia



I'ill try to find something about Lt. Howard Eales.

Cordialement
Bruno

[Croix de Guerre]

Merci Bruno! Tres Bien! Notre Ami La Lt. Howard Eales!

Thanks alot Froggy!!!!! Any help you can offer is most appreciated!

[vb136]

Eales in noted in the Carnets de comptabilité for BR 120 from 12 July 1918 until 3 October 1918, when he returned to the USAS. Since he was a USAS officer, and, I believe, had NOT served in the French army, I doubt that there are any personnel records for him in French archives.

[Croix de Guerre]

Originally Posted by vb136

Eales in noted in the Carnets de comptabilité for BR 120 from 12 July 1918 until 3 October 1918, when he returned to the USAS. Since he was a USAS officer, and, I believe, had NOT served in the French army, I doubt that there are any personnel records for him in French archives.

Thanks VB,,My thoughts on French personnel records were more of a hope than anything. I'm going to write to St. Louis but I don't have much expectations of them having anything either.

[Croix de Guerre]

Originally Posted by vb136

Eales in noted in the Carnets de comptabilité for BR 120 from 12 July 1918 until 3 October 1918, when he returned to the USAS. Since he was a USAS officer, and, I believe, had NOT served in the French army, I doubt that there are any personnel records for him in French archives.

VB, What is this "Carnets de comptabilitie for BR 120" you mention? My Franchoise is very poor.