Madon's 41 victories place him
high among the least recognized top aces of the
Great War. Unofficially, Madon was credited with
64 probable victories, for a theoretical total
of 105!
Having learned to fly in 1911, Madon entered the army the next year and obtained
his military brevet in January 1913. Thus, Corp. Madon was one of the most
experienced French military fliers when the war began. While flying with BL.30,
he strayed into Swiss airspace in April 1915 but escaped internment in December.
Assigned to MF.218, then-Sgt Madon requested
fighter duty and in Sep 1916 he joined N.38.
He scored his first victory that month and
by year end had four
and was promoted to adjutant.
Madon was WIA on 2 July with 12 victories
to his credit and was promoted to sous lieutenant
in August 1917, becoming a permanent appointment
in
February
1918. At the end of '17 his string ran to 19 victories, and he continued
scoring steadily. He left N.38 in March 1918 when his score stood at
25. He then assumed
command of the escadrille which re-equipped with SPADs. Madon's best
month was June 1918 when he claimed eight shootdowns.
His 41st and final success
came on 3 Sept, with temporary promotion to captain on 11 November.
Six years later, Madon was killed in Tunis
while flying in a tribute to Roland Garros.
He was 32 years old.
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