Victor Emmanuel Chapman was a French-American pilot remembered for his exploits during World War I He was the first American pilot to die in the war.
12 Facts About Victor Chapman
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In France, Victor Chapman obtained dual-citizen status as a French and US citizen.
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Victor Chapman's father remarried, to Elizabeth Chanler, a sister of William A Chanler from the Astor family, when Chapman was a teenager around 16 years old.
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Victor Chapman returned to the United States in his late teens to attend Fay School, St Paul's School, Concord, NH, and Harvard University.
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However, Victor Chapman decided to stay in France, joining the French Foreign Legion on August 30,1914, and served in the 3rd March regiment of the Legion.
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Victor Chapman became friendly with four men during his days in the trenches: a Polish fighter who was known only as "Kohl", and Americans Alan Seeger, Henry Fansworth, and David King.
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Victor Chapman requested a transfer to the Aeronautique Militaire, the army's air arm.
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Victor Chapman attended flight school and was certified as a pilot.
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Victor Chapman flew many missions for the 1st Aviation Group and was promoted to sergeant.
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On June 24,1916, while en route to Balsley, Victor Chapman was again attacked, north of Douaumont by German flying ace Leutnant Kurt Wintgens, a close friend of Hohndorf.
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Victor Chapman earned many medals and commendations during his military career.
12.
Victor Chapman often found inspiration to write while he was in the middle of battles, and many of the letters he sent to his father were written in these circumstances.