Olivier Freiherr Von Beaulieumarconnay

German World War I ace fighter pilot credited with 25 victories. He is notable for being World War I's youngest recipient of Germany's highest decoration for military valour, the Pour le Merite. His 25th and last confirmed victory came on 10 October 1918. On 18 October, in the confusion of a dogfight, Beaulieu-Marconnay was seriously wounded in the thigh, possibly as a result of 'friendly fire' from a fellow German pilot. He managed to regain his home airfield and land safely, and was rushed to the hospital, bleeding profusely and in a very critical condition. The award of the Pour le Merite was reportedly rushed through as the Blue Max could not be awarded posthumously, and to procrastinate risked the young ace's death while he was honoured with only the Iron Cross. Notice of the award was forwarded to the hospital on 26 October 1918. He was the youngest recipient of the 'Blue Max'. However, Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay, who had lingered with his wound for ten days, died six hours before the news arrived, possibly as the result of a post-operative infection. Link to Wikipedia biography