Beginning 16 May 1918, he began scoring victories over enemy observation balloons.
By war's end, he had succeeded in downing, singly or with others, five of the enemy craft despite the extreme hazards involved.
[3] Médaille Militaire citation: "Non-commissioned officer who came from the infantry where he had proved his qualities as a fighter.
Transferred to aviation, he immediately became an excellent pursuit pilot, never ceasing to demonstrate his courage by example, searching out the enemy with untiring energy.
Downed several times by the enemy, his aircraft riddled by bullets, he returned to the most difficult of combats with the same spirit and morale.