1. General Joseph Vuillemin was a French professional soldier whose early interest in aviation led him into increasingly responsible leadership positions in the Aeronautique Militaire during World War I Ending the war with extensive decorations, including an unusual double award of the Legion d'honneur, as well as seven aerial victories, he became a dynamic leader of an aerial expedition to Africa in 1933.
Joseph Vuillemin was born in Bordeaux, France, on 14 March 1883.
Joseph Vuillemin began his mandatory military service in November 1904 as an artilleryman.
Joseph Vuillemin was detached from his regimental duties to attend aviation training on 1 July 1913.
On 14 September 1914, Joseph Vuillemin was appointed to the Legion d'honneur as a Chevalier, following his participation in the First Battle of the Marne.
Joseph Vuillemin shot down a German plane on 12 September 1915 for his first aerial victory, with another coming on 30 March 1916.
Joseph Vuillemin has had more than 60 aerial combats, downed three enemy planes, carried out numerous night bombardments.
Joseph Vuillemin has given the most brilliant service to his country during the course of recent operations.
On 20 February 1918, Commandant Joseph Vuillemin was jumped to the command of Escadre 12.
Joseph Vuillemin became a colonel in 1928 and assumed command of air operations in Morocco in 1932.
Joseph Vuillemin was further promoted to the rank of 'general d'armee aerienne'.
On 12 June 1940, at a meeting of the Anglo French Supreme War Council at Briare, it was reported that a bombing raid by the RAF against Italy the previous day had been thwarted by General Joseph Vuillemin, who had ordered lorries to be driven onto the airfield as the bombers were preparing for take-off.
Joseph Vuillemin feared that such raids would provoke Italian reprisals, the consequences of which would be disastrous, as the French Air Force was not present in the south.
Joseph Vuillemin requested that no raids be launched against targets in northern Italy unless these were carried out in response to attacks by the Italians.
On 24 June 1940, Joseph Vuillemin was named Inspector General of the Air Force and given responsibility for the co-ordination of air defence operations.