Eugene Bullard, born October 9, 1895 in Columbus, Georgia, was the first African-American pilot, who flew for France during World War I. When he was a teenager, he stowed away on a German freighter to Aberdeen, Scotland. He was serving in the 170th French Infantry Regiment, he was wounded in March 1916 during the Battle of Verdun. He volunteered for the French Air Service, receiving his pilot license in May 1917.
He was promoted to corporal in June, and between September and November 1917, he flew in over twenty combat missions. When the U.S. entered the war, Bullard tried to join the American forces but was turned down because he was black. He was not discharged until October 1919, after the war had ended.
For his service in the war, France awarded him several medals and military decorations including the Croix de guerre.
Bullard passed away from stomach cancer in October 1961 and is buried in the French War Veteran's section of Flushing Cemetery in Queens, New York.
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