Paul Thayer Iaccaci
Paul Thayer Iaccaci. 1918
Born26 July 1890
Paris, France
DiedAugust 8, 1965(1965-08-08) (aged 75)
Darien, Connecticut
Allegiance United States
Service/branchRoyal Air Force (United Kingdom)
RankLieutenant
UnitNo. 20 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars World War I
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Captain Paul Thayer Iaccaci (pronounced ya-catchy 26 July 1890 – 8 August 1965) was a World War I flying ace credited with 17 aerial victories.

Biography

He was born to Auguste Florian Iaccaci (1857-1930) and Mabel Thayer on 26 July 1890. His brother was August Thayer Jaccaci.

He attended Harvard College from 1909 to 1911. From June 1913 to December 1916 he and his younger brother August served with the 7th Regiment N.Y.N.G; they both went to Canada and joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. They both were assigned to No. 20 Squadron in Calais, France to pilot Bristol F.2 Fighters. He scored his first victory on 18 May 1918, over a Fokker Dr.I fighter. On 31 May, he became an ace with his fourth and fifth wins; August coincidentally recorded his fourth and fifth the same day. By September, he had run his total to 17, the same score as his brother. He triumphed over only German fighter planes and pilots.[1]

He married Marie L. and they divorced on 12 April 1938 in Garland, Arkansas. He later married Hope Norton (1903-1999), she was previously married to George E. Stevens.[2] They had a daughter, Thayer Iaccaci Craw.[3]

He died on 8 August 1965 in Darien, Connecticut.

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. Paul Thayer Iaccaci. A bold and successful fighter, who on four offensive patrols has accounted for six enemy aeroplanes: two he shot down himself, and four were destroyed with the assistance of his observer. In these several encounters the formation in which, Lieut. laccaci was serving was engaged against heavy odds.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Paul Iaccaci". theaerodrome.com.
  2. ^ "Iaccaci-Hope Norton". New York Times. March 28, 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-09. Iaccaci-Hope Norton. Passed away on March 20, 1999 at her home in Santa Barbara, California. She was 95 years old and died of natural causes. Mrs. Iaccaci, fondly known as Tita, was born in Greenwich, CT on October 27, 1903. As a young girl, she attended Miss Porters School, Farmington, CT. She lived a major part of her life in Darien and New Canaan, CT and maintained a summer residence in Hebron, NH. In the early 1980s, she moved to Belvedere, CA and later relocated to Montecito, CA. At the time of her death she was living with her daughter, Thayer I. Lambrecht in Santa Barbara where she had purchased a home. Mrs. Iaccaci was the daughter of Evermont Hope Norton and Lilly Morrison Carr. Mr. Norton had been instrumental in the economic development of Ecuador, South America. She was the widow of Paul Thayer Iaccaci. Her first marriage was to George E. Stevens.
  3. ^ "Thayer Iaccaci, Debutante of '59, Is Wed in Darien. Bride of Nicholas Craw, Princeton Alumnus, a Project Hope Aide". New York Times. August 16, 1964. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  4. ^ Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11252)
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