Francis Warrington Gillet was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 28th November 1895. After attending the University of Virginia Gillet joined the United States Air Service on 1st April 1917. On 25th July, 1917, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. After being trained in Canada and England, he was posted to the Western Front in March 1918. As a member of the 79 Squadron Gillet scored 20 victories. Captain Edward Rickenbacker was the only USA pilot with a better record than Gillet. He also won the Distinguished Flying Cross after successfully destroying three German aircraft and two kite balloons in one flying expedition. Other awards include the Belgian Croix de Guerre and the British War Medal. Francis Warrington Gillet died on 21st December, 1969. Frederick Warrington Gillet was a student at the University of Virginia when he joined the U.S. Air Service on April 1, 1917._ Like many, he did not adjust to flying easily and was flunked out of flight school. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and trained in Canada and England. On March 29, 1918, he was posted to 79 Squadron in France, which flew the Sopwith Dolphin. He did not score any kills until the final battles, with his first D.VII going down on August 3, 1918. Between then and the end of the war, he was scoring nearly as fast as Eddie Rickenbacker. Gillet scored 20 victories by the end of the war - most in multiples during dogfights - with his last two coming in a single combat the day before the Armistice was declared. In addition to three kite balloons, he was credited with destroying fourteen Fokker D.VIIs, a measure of his skill since the Dolphin was not considered as fast or as maneuveralble as the Fokker. Gillet's skills are seen in the commendations for his DFC and Bar. "When attacking a kite balloon, a two-seater guarding it advanced to engage him; Lt. Gillet shot the machine down and turning to the balloon, which was being rapidly hauled down, he dropped two bombs at the winch and fired a drum (of ammunition) into the balloon, which deflated but did not catch fire. In addition to this two-seater, this officer has accounted for two other machines and a kite balloon." (DFC citation, London Gazette, 2 November 1918) "A pilot of great dash and skill who, since 3 August has destroyed twelve hostile aircraft. On 29 September, when on low line patrol, he attacked three Fokkers, driving down one, which fell in flames." (DFC Bar citation, London Gazette, 8 November 1919)
