This Memorial marks the place of death of American aviator Hamilton Coolidge, shot down on October 27, 1918 over Chevières during an aerial combat with the German army, in the last days of the Great War.
Hamilton Coolidge, 23, was a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States of America, and Quentin Roosevelt's best friend.
Having entered Harvard University in September 1915, then admitted to the Curtiss Aviation School in Buffalo in 1916, Coolidge arrived in France in July 1917. He quickly obtained the rank of First Lieutenant.
In June 1918, he was admitted to the American detachment of the French aviation, SPAD division in Chartres and immediately joined the 94th Aero Squadron USA First pursuit Group at the front. Promoted to Captain in October, it was while leading his group that he was killed in action over Chevières by a direct hit from a German anti-aircraft battery. He was buried on site, in the Aire valley, next to the wreckage of his plane, according to his family's wishes.
After the war, his older brother Joseph Randolph Coolidge III came to France and learned that his brother's body had been moved by the American services to the American cemetery in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. Thanks to the intervention of General Pershing, his body was brought back to Chevières.
Hamilton Coolidge, 23, was a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States of America, and Quentin Roosevelt's best friend.
Having entered Harvard University in September 1915, then admitted to the Curtiss Aviation School in Buffalo in 1916, Coolidge arrived in France in July 1917. He quickly obtained the rank of First Lieutenant.
In June 1918, he was admitted to the American detachment of the French aviation, SPAD division in Chartres and immediately joined the 94th Aero Squadron USA First pursuit Group at the front. Promoted to Captain in October, it was while leading his group that he was killed in action over Chevières by a direct hit from a German anti-aircraft battery. He was buried on site, in the Aire valley, next to the wreckage of his plane, according to his family's wishes.
After the war, his older brother Joseph Randolph Coolidge III came to France and learned that his brother's body had been moved by the American services to the American cemetery in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. Thanks to the intervention of General Pershing, his body was brought back to Chevières.
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