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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Warrant officier Gustave Naudin


CoqHardi

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Hello,

I present you this french pilot signed picture that I have.

cpa0007ch3.jpg

Warrant Officier Gustave Naudin

Born in january 29th 1890 at Corberon (Côte d'Or) France

He enlisted the 13th of March 1909 at the 8th regiment of hussars

Moved to the flying corps, in March 1916 as trainee pilot

Various school attended :

- Dijon - technical course

- Châteauroux - piloting school

- Le Crotoy - piloting school and improvement

Units: C 224 and SPA 26.

6 victories officialy recognized during the WWI at the SPA 26

A severe wound at the right foot during a fight, in September 29th 1918, conducted to the amputation of the member.

He finished the war with various awards: Legion of Honor, Military Medal (15.08.1917) and War Cross 6 credits at the army order and 2 at the brigad order.

Died in April 1978

Cheers,

Mathieu

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Thank you for this photo.

I looked him up on the website www.theaerodrome.com

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/naudin.php

They do not have a picture of him; they may like to have a copy of yours?

I am glad he had a long life. I wonder why he was never commissioned? Were many NCOs awarded the Legion d'Honneur?

Adrian

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September wasn't Gustave Naudin's lucky month: he was serving as an Infantry Captain in the later conflict when he was wounded on 9 September 1944.

Gareth

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I wonder why he was never commissioned? Were many NCOs awarded the Legion d'Honneur?

Hello,

What do you mean by "commissioned" and "NCOs", I'm sorry I don't understand the final meaning of these expressions.

Can you explain it to me?

For the picture I'm ok if the webmaster wants to use it.

Gareth, I didn't know this second part of his career. Thanks for the info.

Cheers,

Mathieu

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Mathieu

What do you mean by "commissioned" and "NCOs", I'm sorry I don't understand the final meaning of these expressions.

Can you explain it to me?

A "Commission" is a very old term meaning that the King has authorised an officer to carry out duties on his behalf.

So, a Commissioned officer is of the rank of Second Lieutenant (Sous-Lieutenant in French) or above, up to General or Marshal.

NCO is a Non-Commissioned Officer; he commands men but does not have a commission - so, a Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, etc.

Probably you do understand, but it is the translation between English and French that is the problem. I thought it was unusual that a man would have the Legion d'Honneur and the Medaille Militaire and still be a Warrant Officer (Adjutante in French).

It seems he was commissioned as a Captain in WW2. Gareth - was he with the Free French Forces?

Adrian

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Hello,

Thanks for the explanation. I get it now.

I can answer your first question: you don't have to be an officier to received the Legion d'honneur. The only medal that you can not have is the Médaille Militaire (except if you are a general that commands at fire). During the first world war there was "a lot" of simple soldier and NCOs who received the Legion d'Honneur for bravery.

Cheers,

Mathieu

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