Lt. Eugene Seeley Coler, RAF

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Units: 11 Sq. RAF
Victories: * (16)
Born: 13 January 1896
Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey
Died: 30 August 1953
Place of Death: Gerrard's Cross, Buckinghamshire

Notes

Coler joined the Royal Flying Corps in Canada during 1917. The following year, he was assigned to 11 Squadron as a Bristol Fighter pilot. On 13 August 1918, he and his observer shot down five Fokker D.VIIs in three minutes of fierce fighting over Peronne. Wounded in action by Jasta 2 on 16 September 1918, Coler always shot down two or more aircraft at a time. After the war, he became a doctor and served with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

"Bold in attack and skilful in maneuver, this officer never hesitates to engage the enemy regardless of disparity in numbers. On 13 August, when on escort duty, he dived on a formation of twenty enemy aeroplanes. In the engagement that ensued, he himself destroyed three and his observer two, making a total of five machines destroyed in the fight a fine performance reflecting great credit on the officers concerned."
DFC citation, London Gazette, 3 December 1918

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American Aces of WWI