Francis Dominic Casey

Flight Commander Francis Dominic Casey was an Irish World War I flying ace of the Royal Naval Air Service credited with nine aerial victories. He won the Distinguished Service Cross for valour before his untimely death.

Early life
Francis Dominic Casey was born on 3 August 1890 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland.

World War I
Casey served in the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I, joining during 1916. By early 1917, he was trained as a pilot and posted to 3 Naval Squadron. Between 17 March and 2 May 1917, he scored nine aerial victories. On 12 May 1917 he was Mentioned in Despatches. On 22 June 1917 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his exploits. It was gazetted 29 June 1917:

Flight Lieutenant Francis Dominic Casey, R.N.A.S.

""For conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking hostile aircraft on numerous occasions. On April 21st, 1917, he attacked a hostile two-seater machine at a range varying from 40 to 100 yards, and brought it down completely out of control. On April 23rd, 1917, on four different occasions during one flight, he attacked hostile machines, one of which was driven down in a spinning nose dive and another turning over on its side went down completely out of control. This Officer has driven down four machines completely out of control, and forced many others down.""

Casey died in a flying accident during a test flight, on 11 August 1917.

List of aerial victories
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I