Aviation "Ace" of the First World War. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, he joined the United States Ambulance Service in 1916. After seeing action on the Western Front and in Serbia, he enlisted in the French Air Service in May 1917. After earning his pilot's wings, he was assigned to Spa 73 at Dunkirk in November 1917. A month later, he joined the Storks Group as a pilot with Spa 3. In early 1918, Baylies refused a commission with the United States Air Service, preferring to remain with the French. After earning 12 air combat victories, he was killed in action. First buried at Rollet, his body was exhumed in 1927 and brought to its present resting place of honor.
Biographical Enhancement:
Frank L. "Jules" Baylies joined the American Ambulance Service on 26 FEB 1916 and served in France from October 1916 to 11 May 1917 with Section One at Verdun and then with Section Three in Solonika. On on 25 March 1917 he received the Croix de Guerre (French) with Palm for rescuing wounded.
On 21 May 1917 he enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique receiving his aviator's brevet on 20 SEP 1917. From 17 November to 18 DEC 1917 he served with SPA 73 as a Corporal and then from 18 DEC to 17 June 1918 he served with SPA 3 as Sergeant where he shot down 12 enemy aircraft and received the French Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre (French) with 6 Palms and a Star, the Medaille Militarie, and the Aero Club of America Medal. On 13 May he was transferred to the United States Air Service and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He declined a Captain's commission so he could remain on detached service with SPA 3 as a fighting aviator and not a Flight Leader in an American Aero Squadron.
Killed in combat while fighting with two German triplanes of Jasta 19 over enemy lines near Rollet, Oise. Official credit for shooting down 2LT Baylies was given to Leutnant W Leusch of Jasta 19 shooting him down for his 2nd victory. It is generally accepted that Leutnant Rudolph Rienau of Jasta 19 was the one who shot him down for his 2nd victory. Most probably it was both German pilots teaming up to shoot Baylies down.
Questions please contact me:
Daniel C. Williamson
Lieutenant Colonel, Retired U.S.A.
Aviation Lead - Doughboy M.I.A.
Contributor: LTC (Retired) Dan Williamson (47173990) • [email protected]
Biographical Enhancement:
Frank L. "Jules" Baylies joined the American Ambulance Service on 26 FEB 1916 and served in France from October 1916 to 11 May 1917 with Section One at Verdun and then with Section Three in Solonika. On on 25 March 1917 he received the Croix de Guerre (French) with Palm for rescuing wounded.
On 21 May 1917 he enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique receiving his aviator's brevet on 20 SEP 1917. From 17 November to 18 DEC 1917 he served with SPA 73 as a Corporal and then from 18 DEC to 17 June 1918 he served with SPA 3 as Sergeant where he shot down 12 enemy aircraft and received the French Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre (French) with 6 Palms and a Star, the Medaille Militarie, and the Aero Club of America Medal. On 13 May he was transferred to the United States Air Service and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He declined a Captain's commission so he could remain on detached service with SPA 3 as a fighting aviator and not a Flight Leader in an American Aero Squadron.
Killed in combat while fighting with two German triplanes of Jasta 19 over enemy lines near Rollet, Oise. Official credit for shooting down 2LT Baylies was given to Leutnant W Leusch of Jasta 19 shooting him down for his 2nd victory. It is generally accepted that Leutnant Rudolph Rienau of Jasta 19 was the one who shot him down for his 2nd victory. Most probably it was both German pilots teaming up to shoot Baylies down.
Questions please contact me:
Daniel C. Williamson
Lieutenant Colonel, Retired U.S.A.
Aviation Lead - Doughboy M.I.A.
Contributor: LTC (Retired) Dan Williamson (47173990) • [email protected]
Aviation "Ace" of the First World War. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, he joined the United States Ambulance Service in 1916. After seeing action on the Western Front and in Serbia, he enlisted in the French Air Service in May 1917. After earning his pilot's wings, he was assigned to Spa 73 at Dunkirk in November 1917. A month later, he joined the Storks Group as a pilot with Spa 3. In early 1918, Baylies refused a commission with the United States Air Service, preferring to remain with the French. After earning 12 air combat victories, he was killed in action. First buried at Rollet, his body was exhumed in 1927 and brought to its present resting place of honor.
Biographical Enhancement:
Frank L. "Jules" Baylies joined the American Ambulance Service on 26 FEB 1916 and served in France from October 1916 to 11 May 1917 with Section One at Verdun and then with Section Three in Solonika. On on 25 March 1917 he received the Croix de Guerre (French) with Palm for rescuing wounded.
On 21 May 1917 he enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique receiving his aviator's brevet on 20 SEP 1917. From 17 November to 18 DEC 1917 he served with SPA 73 as a Corporal and then from 18 DEC to 17 June 1918 he served with SPA 3 as Sergeant where he shot down 12 enemy aircraft and received the French Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre (French) with 6 Palms and a Star, the Medaille Militarie, and the Aero Club of America Medal. On 13 May he was transferred to the United States Air Service and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He declined a Captain's commission so he could remain on detached service with SPA 3 as a fighting aviator and not a Flight Leader in an American Aero Squadron.
Killed in combat while fighting with two German triplanes of Jasta 19 over enemy lines near Rollet, Oise. Official credit for shooting down 2LT Baylies was given to Leutnant W Leusch of Jasta 19 shooting him down for his 2nd victory. It is generally accepted that Leutnant Rudolph Rienau of Jasta 19 was the one who shot him down for his 2nd victory. Most probably it was both German pilots teaming up to shoot Baylies down.
Questions please contact me:
Daniel C. Williamson
Lieutenant Colonel, Retired U.S.A.
Aviation Lead - Doughboy M.I.A.
Contributor: LTC (Retired) Dan Williamson (47173990) • [email protected]
Biographical Enhancement:
Frank L. "Jules" Baylies joined the American Ambulance Service on 26 FEB 1916 and served in France from October 1916 to 11 May 1917 with Section One at Verdun and then with Section Three in Solonika. On on 25 March 1917 he received the Croix de Guerre (French) with Palm for rescuing wounded.
On 21 May 1917 he enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique receiving his aviator's brevet on 20 SEP 1917. From 17 November to 18 DEC 1917 he served with SPA 73 as a Corporal and then from 18 DEC to 17 June 1918 he served with SPA 3 as Sergeant where he shot down 12 enemy aircraft and received the French Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre (French) with 6 Palms and a Star, the Medaille Militarie, and the Aero Club of America Medal. On 13 May he was transferred to the United States Air Service and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He declined a Captain's commission so he could remain on detached service with SPA 3 as a fighting aviator and not a Flight Leader in an American Aero Squadron.
Killed in combat while fighting with two German triplanes of Jasta 19 over enemy lines near Rollet, Oise. Official credit for shooting down 2LT Baylies was given to Leutnant W Leusch of Jasta 19 shooting him down for his 2nd victory. It is generally accepted that Leutnant Rudolph Rienau of Jasta 19 was the one who shot him down for his 2nd victory. Most probably it was both German pilots teaming up to shoot Baylies down.
Questions please contact me:
Daniel C. Williamson
Lieutenant Colonel, Retired U.S.A.
Aviation Lead - Doughboy M.I.A.
Contributor: LTC (Retired) Dan Williamson (47173990) • [email protected]
