Standing 5-ft, 8-in, he was a giant in the eyes of his fellow Frenchmen and a respected leader amongst the American volunteer pilots. Identified as N.124, the "Lafayette Escadrille" was assigned to "Groupe de Combat 13" under the overall command of Commandant Philippe Féquant. During 1916–1917, this "Groupe de Combat 13" took part in such engagements as the Battle of the Somme, the Second Battle of the Aisne, the Battle of Verdun, and in the Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918, it operated in the region between Soissons and Reims.