John Joseph Malone was born in Inglewood, Ontario, Canada on 20 December 1894; his parents were Mary C. Wallace and Edmund J. Malone. At the time of the younger Malone's enlistment on 11 December 1914, they were residing in Regina, Saskatchewan.[1] Malone gave his occupation as "gas engine mechanic". The medical officer noted that Malone was 5 feet 4inches tall, with medium complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. A scar on his hip was described as an identifying mark. A scrawl across the enlistment form seems to indicate that Malone was already "tagged" for flying duty; it reads, "Malone... to learn aviation".[2]
First World War
Malone learned to fly at the Curtiss Flying School at the Long Branch Aerodrome in Ontario. He earned his Royal Aero Club pilot's certificate on 15 July 1916, and was commissioned as a probationary flight sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service the same day.[3] He then shipped out for Britain.
On 1 February 1917, Malone was posted to No. 3 Wing RNAS (later designated No. 3 Naval Squadron RNAS). He scored his first aerial victory on 4 March. After scoring a triple victory followed by a single one, he was an ace. Another triple win followed, bringing his tally to eight.[4]
On 24 April 1917, Malone managed to force a German two-seater to ground for a ninth triumph; Malone's engine then quit, forcing him to land his Sopwith Pup next to his victim. The German observer died of his wounds; his pilot was also wounded. Malone took custody of the pilot while under a barrage of artillery fire. Malone's pilot report states, in part:
... after a burst of fire the rear gunner (Observer) dropped down into his cockpit but soon came up again and fired at me when I had closed to about 20 yards range. He then disappeared again into his cockpit. I forced EA to land intact. I then opened my throttle but my engine refused to respond. So, I landed beside the EA and we were shelled by German artillery after helping the German pilot to remove the badly wounded observer from his cockpit. He died within about ten minutes. The German pilot was slightly wounded in the head.[5]
Malone escorted him back to the squadron mess before the German departed into captivity.[3]
Leonard Rochford, a British pilot in Malone's squadron, refers to the incident in some detail in his memoir, I Chose the Sky, published after the war:
... this German pilot... stayed with us in the Officers' Mess for a few days... he was a pleasant, friendly little man with a sense of humour. He was also something of an artist and drew several pencil sketches for us... On his departure he said he had enjoyed staying with us very much.[6]
A tenth win two days later ended his string. Four days later, on 30 April 1917, Malone was shot down and killed by Paul Billik, beginning the latter's career as an ace.[4] Malone is honored at the Arras Flying Services Memorial.[7][8]
For successfully attacking and bringing down hostile aircraft on numerous occasions. At about 6.30 a.m. on April 23rd, 1917, while on patrol, he attacked a hostile scout and drove it down under control. He then attacked a second scout, which, after the pilot had been hit, turned over on its back and went down through the clouds. A third scout, attacked by him from a distance of about 20 yards, descended completely out of control. While engaging a fourth machine he ran out of ammunition, so returned to the advanced landing ground, replenished his supply, and at once returned, and attacked another hostile formation, one of which he forced down out of control. On the afternoon of April 24th, 1917, he engaged a hostile two-seater machine, and, after badly wounding the observer, forced it to land on our side of the lines.[9]
Andrew Frederick Weatherby (Anthony) Beauchamp-Proctor, was a South African airman and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was South Africa's leading ace of the First World War, being credited with 54 aerial victories.
Joseph Stewart Temple Fall, was a Canadian aviator, military officer, and First World War flying ace credited with 36 aerial victories.
Andrew Edward McKeever DSO, MC & Bar, DFC was a Canadian World War I two-seater flying ace who, in conjunction with his gunners, was credited with 31 victories. He was the highest scoring pilot on Bristol F.2 Fighter.
Paul Billik was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 31 victories. He was killed in a flying accident while pioneering civil aviation.
Adolf Ritter von Tutschek (16 May 1891 – 15 March 1918) PlM, MOMJ was a professional soldier turned aviator. As German air strategy turned towards concentrated air power, he was entrusted with one of the world's first fighter wings.
Major Charles Dawson Booker was an English World War I fighter ace credited with 29 victories. He was promoted to high rank while relatively young as a result of his gallantry and unswerving dedication to his country.
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Captain George Edwin Thomson DSO MC was a Scottish World War I flying ace credited with 21 aerial victories. He was the second ranking ace of his squadron, and one of the leading Sopwith Camel aces.
Sergeant William Joseph Benger was a British First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories over German Albatros D.V fighters.
Lieutenant Alfred Victor Blenkiron was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
Arthur Edmund Easterbrook was an American aviator who started his career as a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. During World War II, he held several important positions in the U. S. Army Air Corps.
Flight Lieutenant Edward Rochfort Grange was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. His postwar career included success as a businessman, and a return to aviation as a civilian inspector and auditor for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
Adjutant Maurice Joseph Emile Robert was a French World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
Oberleutnant Hans Bethge HoH, IC was a German pilot who was one of the first World War I flying aces, as well as an aerial commander. He was credited with 20 aerial victories. He was also a squadron commander for the unusually long term of fourteen months.
Captain Clive Wilson Warman was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories. He was the sole American winner of the British Distinguished Service Order.
Oberst Paul Aue was a World War I flying ace from the Kingdom of Saxony in the German Empire. Partial records of his early aviation career credit him with 10 aerial victories. He would join the nascent Luftwaffe during the 1930s and serve Germany through World War II. He died in a Russian prison camp in 1945.
Lieutenant Croye Rothes Pithey was a South African World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. He was one of the war's handful of bomber pilots to become a balloon buster; he may have been the only pilot to do it twice. He was also celebrated for his feats of visual and photographic reconnaissance under hazardous circumstances.
Lieutenant Leonard Arthur Christian was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories scored while he flew as an observer/gunner on Airco DH.9 bombers.
Captain John William Aldred was an English World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He began military service in World War I as an infantryman and transferred to flight duty as an observer. After scoring two aerial victories and winning the Military Cross, he qualified as a fighter pilot, scored six more triumphs, and earned a Bar to his MC in lieu of a second award.
Captain Reginald George Malcolm was a Canadian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories scored during March, April, and May 1916.
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