Charles Eugène Jules Marie Nungesser (March 15, 1892 - May 8, 1927) was a First World War French flying ace rating third highest in the country for air combat victories. He travelled to South America where he worked as an auto mechanic before becoming a p
Charles Eugène Jules Marie Nungesser (March 15, 1892 - May 8, 1927) was a First World War French flying ace rating third highest in the country for air combat victories. He travelled to South America where he worked as an auto mechanic before becoming a professional racer. His interest in racing soon led him to flying airplanes. When WWI broke out, he returned to France. As a military pilot, he was transferred to Escadrille VB106 in July 1915 and shot down his first plane. By the time Nungesser left VB106, he had flown 53 bombing missions. He was later attached to the famous Lafayette Escadrille, composed of American volunteers. By the end of 1916, he had claimed 21 air kills. He was often so hobbled by wounds and injuries that he had to be helped into his cockpit. By May 1918, he had 35 victories. He finished the war with 43 official victories, the third highest number among French fliers behind René Fonck and Georges Guynemer. He received dozens of military decorations from France, Belgium, Montenegro, United States of America, Portugal, Russia, and Serbia. Nungesser mysteriously disappeared on an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York, flying with wartime comrade François Coli. Their aircraft took off from Paris on May 8, 1927, was sighted over Ireland, and then was never seen again. The disappearance of Nungesser is considered one of the great mysteries in the history of aviation. He was 35 at the time of his death/disappearance.
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