Background
John Joseph Malone was born in Inglewood, Ontario, Canada on 20 December 1894. His parents were Mary C. Wallace and Edmund J. Malone.
John Joseph Malone was born in Inglewood, Ontario, Canada on 20 December 1894. His parents were Mary C. Wallace and Edmund J. Malone.
At the time of the younger Malone"s enlistment on 11 December 1914, they were residing in Regina, Saskatchewan. Malone gave his occupation as "gas engine mechanic". The medical officer noted that Malone was 5 feet 4 inches tall, with medium complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair.
A scar on his hip was described as an identifying mark.
Interestingly, a scrawl across the enlistment form seems to indicate that Malone was already "tagged" for flying duty. lieutenant reads, "Malone (indecipherable two words) to learn aviation".
Malone learned to fly at the Curtiss Flying School at the Long Branch Aerodrome in Ontario. He earned his Royal Aeronautical Club pilot"s certificate on 15 July 1916, and was commissioned as a probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service the same day.
He then shipped out for Britain.
On 1 February 1917, he was posted to Number. 3 Wing Royal Naval Air Service (later designated Number 3 Naval Squadron Royal Naval Air Service). He scored his first aerial victory on 4 March 1917.
After scoring a triple victory followed by a single one, he was an ace.
On 24 April 1917, Malone managed to force a German two-seater to ground for a ninth triumph. Malone"s engine then quit, forcing him to land his Sopwith Pup next to his victim.
The German observer died of his wounds. His pilot was also wounded.
Malone took custody of the pilot while under a barrage of artillery fire, and escorted him back to the squadron mess for a drink before the German departed into captivity.
Four days later, on 30 April 1917, Malone was shot down and killed by Paul Billik, beginning the latter"s career as an ace. John Joseph Malone is honored at the Arras Flying Services Memorial. Foreign successfully attacking and bringing down hostile aircraft on numerous occasions.
At about 6.30 a.m. on April 23rd, 1917, while on patrol, he attacked a hostile scout and drove it down under control.
He then attacked a second scout, which, after the pilot had been hit, turned over on its back and went down through the clouds. A third scout, attacked by him from a distance of about 20 yards, descended completely out of control.
While engaging a fourth machine he ran out of ammunition, so returned to the advanced landing ground, replenished his supply, and at once returned, and attacked another hostile formation, one of which he forced down out of control. On the afternoon of April 24th, 1917, he engaged a hostile two-seater machine, and, after badly wounding the observer, forced it to land on our side of the lines.