Antoine Paillard

Born in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné^[2] in 1897, sous Lieutenant Antoine Joseph Henri Louis Paillard was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories ^[3] and was awarded three decorations including the Legion of Honor.^[4]

Antoine Joseph Henri Louis Paillard
Born	23 August 1897
Died	15 June 1931(1931-06-15) (aged 33)[1]
Allegiance	France
Service / branch	Flying service
Rank	Sous lieutenant
Unit	Escadrille BR132
Awards	Legion d'honneur Médaille militaire Croix de Guerre

Biography

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Antoine Joseph Henri Louis Paillard was born in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné^[2] on 23 August 1897.^[5]

Paillard served as a Breguet bomber pilot in Escadrille BR.132. On 1 May 1918, he shot down a German airplane for his first victory. Then, on 14 September 1918, Paillard was one of four French pilots combating four German Fokker D.VIIs, along with Jean-François Jannekeyn. The four French bomber aircrews managed to shoot down all four German fighters; all French participants were credited with four victories each. Paillard was awarded the Medaille Militaire for his valor,^[6] as well as the Croix de Guerre.^[5]

His daughter Gisele Paillard was born on 23 May 1920.^{[citation needed]}