Ralph Talbot

Bringing his wounded observer safely back through enemy fire

Ralph Talbot was born on 6 January 1897 in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. He left Yale University in 1917 to train at the DuPont Aviation School, then entered naval aviation training. Commissioned a naval ensign in April 1918, he transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve Flying Corps the following month and sailed for France in July. He served as a second lieutenant with Squadron C, 1st Marine Aviation Force during the First World War.

Talbot fought enemy aircraft during a raid on 8 October 1918. On 14 October over Pittham, Belgium, engine trouble separated his aircraft from the formation. Attacked by enemy fighters, he maneuvered to let his wounded observer clear a jammed gun, then continued the fight. With the observer unconscious and his engine failing, Talbot escaped at low altitude and landed at a hospital before returning to his aerodrome.

Talbot died in France on 25 October 1918 when his aircraft crashed during an engine test flight. His posthumous Medal of Honor was awarded on 11 November 1920. He is buried in Mount Wollaston Cemetery in Quincy, Massachusetts. His medal is held by the National Museum of the United States Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

For exceptionally meritorious service and extraordinary heroism while attached to Squadron C, 1st Marine Aviation Force, in France. Second Lt. Talbot participated in numerous air raids into enemy territory. On 8 October 1918, while on such a raid, he was attacked by nine enemy scouts, and in the fight that followed shot down an enemy plane. Also, on 14 October 1918, while on a raid over Pittham, Belgium, 2d Lt. Talbot and another plane became detached from the formation on account of motor trouble and were attacked by 12 enemy scouts. During the severe fight that followed, his plane shot down one of the enemy scouts. His observer was shot through the elbow and his gun jammed. Second Lt. Talbot maneuvered to gain time for his observer to clear the jam with one hand, and then returned to the fight. The observer fought until shot twice, once in the stomach and once in the hip, and then collapsed. Second Lt. Talbot attacked the nearest enemy scout with his front guns and shot him down. With his observer unconscious and his motor failing, he dived to escape the balance of the enemy and crossed the German trenches at an altitude of 50 feet, landing at the nearest hospital to leave his observer, and then returning to his aerodrome.