lauded your victory which
terminated in the vertical fall of your adversary. They offer you
their warmest congratulations, and share the joy you must have felt
in achieving so brilliant a success. Maillard.

On July 21 the Military Medal was given to the two victors, Guynemer's
being accompanied by the following mention: "Corporal Guynemer: a pilot
full of spirit and audacity, volunteering for the most dangerous
missions. After a hot pursuit, gave battle to a German airplane, which
ended in the burning and destruction of the latter." The decoration was
bestowed on August 4 at Vauciennes by General Dubois, then in command of
the Sixth Army, and in presence of his father, who had been sent for.
Then Guynemer paid for his newly won glory by a few days of fever.

II. FROM THE AISNE TO VERDUN

Guynemer's first victory occurred on July 19, 1915, and for his second
he had to wait nearly six months. This was not because he had not been
on the watch. He would have been glad to mount a Nieuport, but, after
all, he had had his Boche, and at that time the exploit was exceptional:
he had to be patient, and give his comrades a chance to do the same.

When finally he obtained the longed-for Nieuport, he flew sixteen hours
in five days, and naturally went to parade himself over Compiegne.
Without this dedication to his home, the machine would never be
consecrated.

When the overwork incident to such a life forced him to take a little
repose, he wandered back to his home like a soul in pain. It was in vain
that his parents and his two sisters--whom he called his "kids" as if he
were their elder--exhausted their ingenuity to amuse him. This home he
loved so much, which he left so recently, and returned to so happily,
bringing with him his young fame, no longer sufficed him. Though he was
so comfortable there, yet on clear days the house stifled him. On such
days he seemed like a school child caught in some fault: a little more
and he would have condemned himself. Then his sister Yvonne, who had
understood the situation, made a bargain with him.

"What is it you miss here at home?"

"Something you cannot give me. Or rather, yes, you can give it to me.
Promise me you will."

"Surely, if it will make you happy."

"I shall be the happiest of men."

"Then it's granted in advance."

"Very well, this is it: every morning you must examine the weather. If
it is bad, you will let me sleep."

"And if it is fine?"