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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Mr. John Cotton [1898-1933] flew during WW 1 as a combat Pilot in the French Lafayette Flying Corps. He enlisted in June 1917 in France's Service Aeronautique and received his brevet on the Caudron in November 1917. From January to June 1918 Caporal Cotton served at the Front with Escadrille Breguet 120. At that time he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Service and continued to serve with his French Squadron as a flight commander into September of 1918. For his outstanding service, flying more than 100 missions as a day-bombardment pilot, he was awarded France's Criox de Guerre, with two stars, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal and several WW 1 service medals. Until the November 11,1918 Armistice, Lieutenant Cotton was in charge of formation and aerial combat flying instruction at the 7th Aviation Training Center, Clermont-Ferrand. Following the Armistice, Lt. Cotton served with the 120th and 90th Aero squadrons, USAS. He was honorably discharged in February 1919.