Jean G. Bouyer

Who was Jean G. Bouyer?

Sous lieutenant Jean Georges Bouyer was a French World War I flying ace credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories.

Bouyer joined the French infantry on 15 December 1911. On Christmas Day, 1914, he transferred to flying service as a bombardier assigned to the defense of Paris. When he was forwarded to aviation training, he earned Pilot's Brevet No. 5957 on 25 March 1917. On 16 May, he was posted to Escadrille N49.

He scored for the first time on 25 June 1917, downing an LVG two-seater reconnaissance plane. Four days later, he was promoted to Sergeant. On 7 July, he scored again. In August, he was medically evacuated to hospital. After his return to the unit, he scored again three times in December, becoming an ace.

On 4 January 1918, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire; a prerequisite for the award was a prior award of the Croix de Guerre. On 19 February 1918, having upgraded to a Spad, he notched win number six at Pfetterhausen. Bouyer then teamed with Adjutant Paul Hamot during May and July for four shared wins, over a Rumpler and some Albatroses. Then, on 27 July 1918, Bouyer became a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur. On 19 September 1918, he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant. He scored one final victory on 21 October, sharing it with Maurice Arnoux and Alexandre Bretillon.