Willy Coppens

Willy Coppens
Birth nameWilly Omer François Jean Coppens
Born(1892-07-06)6 July 1892
Watermael-Boitsfort, Brussels, Belgium
Died21 December 1986(1986-12-21) (aged 94)
De Panne, West Flanders, Belgium
AllegianceBelgium
Service / branchGrenadiers, Compagnie des Aviateurs
Years of service1912–1940
RankMajor
Unit2nd Grenadiers, 1ère Escadrille de Chasse, 9ème Escadrille de Chasse, Escadrilles (Squadrons) 4, 6
AwardsOrder of Leopold II, Order of the Crown, Belgian Croix de Guerre, French Legion d'Honneur, Serbian Order of the White Eagle, British Distinguished Service Order, British Military Cross, French Croix de Guerre

Willy Omer François Jean baron Coppens d'Houthulst, DSO MC (6 July 1892 – 21 December 1986) was Belgium's leading fighter ace and the champion "balloon buster" of World War I. He was credited with 37 confirmed victories and six probables.