4/4/2008 - AFS World War I Ambulance Driver and Flying Ace Honored in Boston for his Sacrifice in France in 1918

Frank Leaman Baylies, was twenty years old when he joined the American Field Service Section One on February 26, 1916. He served as an ambulance driver with distinction on the Somme and in the battle of Verdun on the French front. On October 5, 1916 Baylies was transferred to AFS Section Three with the French Army of the Orient in the Balkans. Baylies and Section Three left for Salonica, Greece on December 10, 1916. Baylies served with the American Field Service in the Balkans until May 11, 1917.

Baylies returned from the Balkans and enlisted in the French Aviation corps on May 21, 1917. He received his pilot training in the schools of Avord, Pau and Cazeaux. Baylies was attached to the Groupe de Combat 12 Lafayette Escadrille Spad 3. He had twelve official and five unofficial victories to his credit. No pilot in any army rose more quickly or deservedly. In his many aerial duels his plane was often struck by the enemy fire.

Baylies was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, the Medaille Militaire, and the Croix de Guerre with seven palms. Baylies was killed in action over the German lines on June 17, 1918, near Rollot, Oise, southeast of Montdidier. He was 22 years old. Baylies was originally buried at Courcelles-Epayelles, Oise, but moved later to the the Mémorial de l’Escadrille Lafayette in Paris.

Read a news article about Baylies here.