Marie Marvingt

Thank you for coming to read a little more about my woman of the month, Marie Marvingt. 

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Marie Marvingt

By now we know that not only was Marie an incredible pilot, she was also an accomplished sportswoman.

Air ambulances

Nowadays we wouldn't give much thought to a plane or helicopter flying overhead, bringing people medical care. But back in 1910 it was at Marie's instigation that the French government introduced fixed wing airplanes as air ambulances.

For the rest of her, very long, life, Marie would give talks and conferences around the necessity of air ambulances, giving advice, raising money and training female pilots to ensure they would be used.

Military operations

We know that Marie is audacious - how else would she have competed in the Tour de France?
But how about this... in  WW1 she disguised herself as a man and served on the front lines as a Chasseur 2ième Classe (Soldier, 2nd Class) in the 42ième Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (42nd Battalion of Foot Soldiers).

She was discovered and sent home but later participated in military operations with the Italian 3º Reggimento Alpini (3rd Regiment of Alpine Troops) in the Italian Dolomites.

In 1915 Marie became the first woman to fly combat missions, when she flew bombing missions over German-held territory. She received the Croix de guerre (Military Cross) for her aerial bombing of a German military base in Metz.

Between the two world wars she worked as a journalist, war correspondent, and medical officer with French Forces in North Africa. 
In World War II, she resumed work as a Red Cross nurse with the rank of corporal, she continued her promotion of the ambulance-airplane, and she founded and maintained a home for wounded aviators.

She also fought in the Resistance - which meant she was given another medal to add to her collection which demonstrated her exceptional contributions.

Life after life

Marie lived until she was 88 - having renewed her pilot's license at 80. She lives on in many ways in France, with her name attached to numerous places such as roads, gymnasiums and flight schools. 

There's also quite a few awards given out every year in her name - though I suspect there won't be anyone else out there who'll manage quite as many medals as she achieved.

Ends

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