[5] Minôt was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) on 28 October 1915,[6] and was confirmed in his rank on 15 February 1916.
[2] Paired with observer/gunner Lieutenant Arthur Britton, Minôt gained his first aerial victories on 3 July 1917, accounting for two Albatros D.Vs over Zonnebeke, one driven down out of control and the other shot down flames,[1] killing Albert Dossenbach.
[1] As a result of this action, and that of 7 July, Minôt would be awarded the Military Cross, while Britton received the Croix de guerre.
As result of injuries sustained the previous day Britton was unable to fly, so Minôt was paired with Second Lieutenant Sidney John Leete.
[2] Initially listed as missing, news eventually reached the British via the Red Cross that Minôt and Leete had been shot down and killed.
His citation read: In May 1926 the Air Ministry announced the instigation of the Laurence Minôt Memorial Trophy, which would be awarded annually to the crew of the aircraft which obtained the highest degree of accuracy in bombing.
[12] The trophy, in the shape of a large silver eagle, was originally donated anonymously,[12] but was in fact commissioned by Minôt's father in memory of his only son.