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Show CHAPMAN KILLED BY-.1 GERMAN CHAMPION PARIS, .Tune 30. Xt was while on an errand of mercy for a wounded comrade com-rade that Corporal Victor Chapman of N'ew York, member of the Franco-American aviation corps, met his death last week. Captain Boelke, the most famous of all German aviators, who, up to that lime, had accounted for eighteen aeroplanes, aero-planes, sent Chapman to his death. But before he foil the American brought down two German machines. These details are disclosed in a semiofficial semi-official statement given out today, which also aunounced rewards and promotions pro-motions for other American aviators. All the members of the American squad- ron, save two, have beeu decorated aut promoted. Seryeant Clyde Balsley of San Antonio, An-tonio, Tex., wounded in a fight near Verdun and probably crippled for lite, is in a hospital a few miles from the aviation camp to which Corporal Chapman Chap-man was attached. The sergeant asked for an orange, but there was none to be bad at the hospital. Corporal Chapman Chap-man heard of the incident, obtained a basket of oranges and set forth in his aeroplane for the hospital. While on his way he discovered that three French aeroplaues were engaged with four German machines, and dashed into the fight. Sweeping down od the Germans he put his machine into action. Two German machines fell to earth. Chapman sent them down almost as soon as he entered the combat. Then Captain Boelke turned on the American and caught him at such an angle that he was able to rake the aeroplane with machine ma-chine gun fire. One bullet struck a vital spot and Chapman plunged lifeless to the ground within the German lines. The semi-official statement says that a religious service will be held in "memory "mem-ory or this citizen of the United States who, 'inspired by sentiments of lofty idealism, gave his life for the cause of the allies. ' ' For their recent accomplishment rewards re-wards and promotions have been given to American aviators as follows: Lieutenant William K. Thaw of Pittsburg, Pitts-burg, the Cross of the Legion of Honor. Sergeant Kiffen Eockwell of Atlanta, the military med;il. Sergeant" Bert Hall of Bowling Green, Ky. the military medal, All the other 'members of the squadron, squad-ron, save two, are made sergeants. |