Bronze bust of Hero of the Soviet Union headed for museum in Chipley, Florida!

Marcel Albert was a dashing fighter pilot of World War II.

by Dale Cox

Marcel Albert during World War II.

A daring World War II pilot who received national honors from both Francis and the former Soviet Union (now Russia) will soon be honored at the Washington County Historical Museum in Chipley, Florida!

Marcel Albert, who fought the German Luftwaffe on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, is memorialized by a bronze bust in the Russian Embassy. According to Dorothy Pyfrom Odom of the Washington County Historical Society, the bust is being sent to the museum in Chipley. It will be displayed there to honor Albert, who lived in Washington County for many years.

Albert was a young man working at a Renault factory in France as World War II erupted in Europe. He joined the military in 1938, underwent pilot training, and was stationed at an airfield in Chartres. His first combat action came in May 1940 when German invaded his country.

In one single day of action (May 14, 1940), he shot down two German aircraft in aerial combat. Germany quickly overwhelmed France, despite the courage of pilots like Albert, who went up against the much larger and better-equipped German air force or Luftwaffe. When the collaborators of the Vichy government signed an armistice with Hitler, Albert's unit was sent to Algeria. He and two other pilots soon deserted and flew their planes to Great Britain.

Washington County Historical Museum in Chipley, Florida.

Albert next joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) to continue his personal war against the Nazis. He flew 47 missions for the British, contributing to Churchill's determined stand against the Germans.

In 1942 he joined other exiled French pilots in the Escadron de Chasse 2/30 Normandie-Niemen, a fighter group (later expanded to a regiment) sent to the Eastern Front to join the Soviet military in its fight against Hitler's invasion of the USSR. He flew Russian-made Yak fighters against some of Germany's best pilots and aircraft.

By the time World War II ended, Albert was an ace having shot down 23 Axis aircraft and fought in 262 battles. He was awarded the Gold Star and named a Hero of the Soviet Union by the Russians, alongside whom he flew. The USSR also named him to the Order of Lenin.

Marcel Albert, who left the military in 1948 and later settled in Washington County, was the second most successful French ace of World War II. He lived in Northwest Florida until 2008 when he moved to Texas. He died there two years later. A grateful France named him to its Legion of Honour.

The movement of the bronze bust from the Russian Embassy to the museum in Chipley is a remarkable honor for the small but fascinating attraction. Further information on the timing of the transfer is expected soon.

Learn more about the Washington County Historical Society and its museum by visiting https://washingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.com/.

The following is his obituary as released by Brown Funeral Home at the time of his death:

Marcel Albert, 92, passed away Monday, August 23, 2010 at his residence in Harlingen, Texas. 

Marcel was born and raised in Paris, France. He had a mechanical bent and after high school went to work for Renault building gear boxes. He developed an interest in flying and was accepted for military pilot training. In 1938 as a sergeant he began to fly. Albert earned his pilots badge flying biplanes and then was sent to Istres for advanced training. In 1939 his flying skill led to a post at the Centre Instruction Chasse at Chartres where he flew fighters, including the French built Bloch 152, Morance Saulnier 406 and the American built Curtis Hawk 75. 

In 1940, he was posted to flying France's newest fighter the Dewontine 520. On May 10 the Germans invaded France and May 13 the squadron entered action where he eventually served in three different air forces. On May 14, Albert shot down a Dornier 17 bomber. Later in the day he shot down a Messercshmitt ME 109 but it was not confirmed. The French government soon sent his squadron to North Africa. 

When the Vichy French forces came into conflict with the RAF, Albert decided to fly to freedom and soon he and two other pilots flew to Gibraltar and surrendered their aircraft. After 4 attempts to reach England by ship, Albert made it and was thrown into jail! He was soon released and joined the RAF.  Albert flew 47 missions with the RAF. Albert was soon leading his squadron as a sous lieutenant. 

In June 1943, he scored his first victory in Russia. As the Soviet army pushed the Germans west, Albert's score steadily rose. In recognition of his combat and leadership abilities, he became one of the few foreigners ever to receive the USSR's highest award for valor, the Gold Star and title "Hero of the Soviet Union". 

At war's end he finally was promoted to Captain with 23 confirmed victories during 262 combat missions. In 1946 at a test center while practicing for an air show, he crashed but was not seriously injured. He was then sent to Czechoslovakia as Air Attaché. In Prague, he met his future wife, an American who worked at the US Embassy. 

Albert soon left the military and in 1948 with his wife, he moved to the United States where he managed a chain of restaurants. Albert was a former resident of Chipley, FL and in 2008 moved to Harlingen, Texas.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 10 A.M. at the graveside in Wachob-Forest Lawn Cemetery in Chipley with the Rev. George Sammut officiating. Brown Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.