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Norman Prince

Chapter 9: VII FROM THE FRENCH ENVOYS
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About This Book

The book compiles a memoir and primary documents about an American aviator who embraced early aeronautics, left a legal career to volunteer for France during the First World War, and helped organize American flyers into a distinct squadron. It traces his privileged upbringing, education, and technical enthusiasm for flying, then recounts his training, combat exploits, and ultimate sacrifice. Selections of his own writing, letters, and family correspondence are presented alongside tributes from comrades and official condolences. Illustrations and appendices document his machines, decorations, and the squadron’s early history.

VII
FROM THE FRENCH ENVOYS

On the occasion of the reception given by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston to the French Envoys who came to this country in an official capacity, the patriotic devotion and sacrifice of Norman Prince were gracefully alluded to by the Envoys who included in their number M. René Viviani, Minister of Justice, Marshal Joffre, Vice-Admiral Chocheprat and the Marquis de Chambrun, Deputy, and descendant of Lafayette. At the lunch in Faneuil Hall, given by the City of Boston, Vice-Admiral Chocheprat, in his reply to the Mayor’s address of welcome, paid a touching tribute to “Mr. Frederick H. Prince’s son Norman, the gallant young aviator who sacrificed his life for France, and the cause of the Allies.” Thereupon Marshal Joffre arose from his seat at the table and placing his hand over his heart made a bow to the young hero’s father, who sat by the Marshal’s side and who was acting as chairman of the reception committee.

Subsequently at the reception given to the Envoys at the Boston Public Library, M. Viviani, in concluding his graceful response to Governor McCall’s address of welcome, said:

“I salute that young hero, Norman Prince, who has died after having fought not only for France, but for America, because we have the same ideals of right and liberty.”

M. Henri Franklin Bouillon, French Minister of International Affairs, who made an official visit to this country later on, took occasion to express his admiration of this fine American aviator. Speaking subsequently at a public gathering in London of his observations in America he said: “I cannot better express to you the sentiment of the American people than by quoting that young American hero Norman Prince, who, in acknowledging a salute to the American aviators in Paris, said, ‘We have done what we have done; you must judge us by our hearts.’”