US Army Pioneer Aviator. Born in Dowagiac, Michigan, he was graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in engineering, when he enlisted in the US Army Air Service on May 14, 1917. He completed training at the School of Military Aeronautics, University of Illinois, in October 1917, was selected for training with the Royal Flying Corps in Canada, then trained in Texas and was commissioned a US Army 2nd Lieutenant on January 16, 1918. Assigned to the US 147th Aero Squadron France, he became an air combat Ace with five victories and later was the Flight Commander of C Squadron. For his actions in the air with the enemy on July 2, 1918, near Chateau Thierry, France, he was promoted 1st Lieutenant, awarded the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de Guerre Medal. After the war, he resumed his career in engineering and worked for the Boeing Aircraft Corporation. During World War II, he engineered and help develop the hydraulic system for the Martin B-26 bomber and was a member of the United States Fighter Pilots Association. He died in Queens, New York, at the age of 91.
US Army Pioneer Aviator. Born in Dowagiac, Michigan, he was graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in engineering, when he enlisted in the US Army Air Service on May 14, 1917. He completed training at the School of Military Aeronautics, University of Illinois, in October 1917, was selected for training with the Royal Flying Corps in Canada, then trained in Texas and was commissioned a US Army 2nd Lieutenant on January 16, 1918. Assigned to the US 147th Aero Squadron France, he became an air combat Ace with five victories and later was the Flight Commander of C Squadron. For his actions in the air with the enemy on July 2, 1918, near Chateau Thierry, France, he was promoted 1st Lieutenant, awarded the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de Guerre Medal. After the war, he resumed his career in engineering and worked for the Boeing Aircraft Corporation. During World War II, he engineered and help develop the hydraulic system for the Martin B-26 bomber and was a member of the United States Fighter Pilots Association. He died in Queens, New York, at the age of 91.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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