Pierre Clostermann
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Pierre Clostermann (born February 28 1921 in Curitiba Brazil), French pilot (flying ace), engineer and politician.
He joined the Free French Air Force in Britain in 1942. He scored his first two victories on July 27, 1943, destroying two Focke-Wulf Fw 190 over France, while flying a Supermarine Spitfire in No. 341 Free French Squadron "Alsace". In late 1943 he was assigned to No. 602 Squadron RAF. After a short break from combat from July 1944, in March 1945 Pierre Clostermann returned to front on his own will, flying the new Hawker Tempest Mk V in No. 274 Squadron RAF. On March 24 he was injured in combat. From April 8 he became a leader of No. 3 Squadron RAF, and on April 27, a provisional commander of the whole No. 122 Wing RAF.
Among the Allied pilots during the Second World War he has the third highest score of hits, with 33 victories (most of them over fighters) and 5 probable. He also destroyed 225 trucks, 72 locomotives, 5 tanks and 2 torpedo boats.
He wrote a very successful book The Big Show (Le Grand Cirque) on his experiences in the war.
After the war he continued his career as an engineer, participating in the creation of Reims-Aviation, acting as a representative for Cessna and working for Renault.
He was a deputy between 1946 and 1969.
Medals and honours
- colonel de réserve
- Grand-Croix de la Légion d'Honneur
- Compagnon de la Libération
- Médaille Militaire
- Croix de Guerre 1939-45 with 19 palmes (the most!)
- Croix de la Valeur militaire with 2 citations
- Distinguished Service Order
- Distinguished Flying Cross with bar
- Silver Star
- Air medal
External Links
- ordredelaliberation.fr (http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/222.html)fr:Pierre Clostermann