Willy Coppens
1892–1986 (age 94)
Biography
Willy Coppens (1892-1986) was celebrated as a flying ace whose courage and skill during wartime earned him admiration on the battlefield and beyond. His remarkable aerial achievements became symbols of resilience, and he remained modest about his contributions even as others hailed his daring.
Beyond his wartime record, Coppens devoted himself to preserving the memory of aviators who made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring their stories would not fade. His legacy at De Panne stands as a testament to a hero who never forgot the human cost of conflict.