90th Aeronaut Co. / Charles Carvel Fleet

[Marian]

A much earlier thread established that Charles Carvel "Rox" Fleet (August 4, 1894-April 6, 1941) was with the 135th aero squadron from July 1918 until the end of the war.

I recently came across (in Gorrell at Fold3) the write up of "Lt. Charles C. Fleet's" award of the Croix de Guerre, which reads, in part, "Although he was to leave the 90th Aeronaut Co. on February 27, 1918, he asked to make a last ascension on the 28th. He demonstrated coolness and courage in launching his parachute as soon as he received the Order from his French Commander."

Can anyone help me understand what the "90th Aeronaut Co." was? And how Fleet might have come to be in it? (Assuming Charles C Fleet = Charles Carvel Fleet)

Thanks!

[Rod_Filan]

There was a 90th Balloon company, although I don't know if it ever got to France. Perhaps this was a balloon company assigned to the 90th Aero Sqdn. I gather this fellow (Lt. Charles C. Fleet) ascended on the 28th and hit the silk when ordered to by the Frenchie CO - presumably when he became under attack.

Nothing to substantiate this, just my two cents.


Cheers

[Doc]

Was it perhaps a French Balloon company? All US similar units were titled "Balloon Company", so I don't think it was US. Doc

[Froggy]

Bonjour

I had same idea as Doc,but looking at strengh of 90 ème compagnie des Aerostiers(French balloon company),i didn't found name of Charles Carvel Fleet
http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defe...08/viewer.html

in February 1918 CO of 90è Aerostiers was Lieutenant Alexandre Vallée
The location of the company was near Guyencourt

Cordialement
Bruno

[Froggy]

Bonjour

Another information
French AirService War Chronology ,page 193

on 26 February 1918:
S/Lt André Lebouc (90 cie d'aérostiers) and S/Lt Flett (USBS)
destroyed in flames by Ltn Schulte jasta 50
Both observers were safe
I suppose that Flett was in fact a mispelling of Fleet and that time the USBS(balloon squadron) to wich belonged Fleet was attached to 90 éme Aerostiers ?

Cordialement
Bruno

[Froggy]

Finally I have found the name of Fleet in 90ème aerostiers on first quarter of 1918,with 3 others Americans


Problem! I read "Fleet O M"on the document
I wonder if we speak about the adequate "Fleet"

text in French
"Venus de l'aviation Signal Corps USR détachés du QG (quartier Général)
des Forces Expeditionnaires américaines (éxécution selon la note 31961 du GQG N° spécial 201 du 28 Décembre 1917 du QG des forces américaines)

"Detached from Genaral Quarter of AEF,arrived from US Aviation Signal Corps
(execution according to note # 31961 & #201 from American Forces Head quarter of 28 december 1917)

Bruno

[ONEALM]

Marian -

I think these are two different men. Charles C. Fleet was a flight commander with the 135th - a pilot. I doubt that a pilot would have been assigned to a French balloon company. If he had been an observer/gunner, we might make that connection, but in this case I think they are two different men.

At the time the 90th Aerostieres "Fleet" was with the unt, I suspect the 135th Aero Fleet was in flight training. The unit history published by Battery Press suggests he was with the first group of pilots assigned who were all in training in England before arriving at Colombley-les-Belles in July.

There's a photo of the 135th Aero "Charles C. Fleet" on pg 314 of John Sloan's excellent "Wings of Honor".

That still leaves us with a puzzle about the 3 Americans with the 90th.

The full text of his Croix de Guerre citation reads:

"1st Lt Charles C. Fleet

An officer with splendid moral and intellectual qaulities. Although he was to leave the 90th Aeronaut Co. on February 27, 1918, he asked to make a last ascension on the 28th. He demonstrated coolness and courage in launching his parachute as soon as he received the Order from his French Commander."


Bruno -

Are those other two names -

C.E. Smith and G.F. Harris (or Farris?).

I might be able to sort this out if I can reference the other two names as well. I cannot (so far) find anything about the aeronaut Lt. Fleet.

Hope this helps....
Mike

[Froggy]

Onealm

The names I read are

1st lieutnant Smith E C
Oatman A C
Harris G F

Cordialement
Bruno

[ONEALM]

Thanks Bruno.

Those names do not show on any of my references, but as we all know, noneof them are complete ! Now I'm curious about these four officers...

Still think they are two different Lt. Fleets though.


Mike

[Froggy]

I have found reference for Oatman A C, and Harris G F
in Fold3. Gorrell AEF history, but impossible to look at the pages concerned since you have to pay now for that

Bruno