Jean Chaput

Who was Jean Chaput?

Lieutenant Jean Chaput was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. He served in the army infantry beginning in 1913. He transferred to aviation in 1914. He qualified as a pilot by February 1915, was assigned to Escadrille 28, and scored his first victory on 12 June 1915 while piloting a Caudron. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire for this action. Three days later, he was wounded. On 10 July, he suffered the first of two serious wounds that would cause lengthy interruptions in his flying career. He did not return to duty until January 1916. Having risen through the enlisted ranks to sergeant, he was now commissioned a lieutenant in March 1916. He scored twice more, on 18 March and 30 April; then he was transferred to a fighter squadron, Escadrille 57, in May 1916. Between 22 May and 23 July, he downed an observation balloon and four German airplanes. On 24 August, he was again severely wounded; this time, he would not return to duty until early 1917. He scored a double victory on 5 April, and one each in May and June 1917; the latter was shared with Joseph M. X. de Sévin. There was another lapse in his winning ways, until 23 March 1918, when he once again scored twice; one of his victims that day was Erich Thomas. In April, he succeeded to command of Escadrille 57, and scored his two final victories. He was killed in action on 6 May 1918 by Hermann Becker.