World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He posthumously received the award on May 3, 1919 for his actions as a 2nd lieutenant in the 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, US Army Air Service, on September 29, 1918 near Murvaux, France. Following the US into World War I in April 1917, he enlisted in the Aviation Section, US Signal Corps. Following his pilot training, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in March 1918 and four months later he was sent to France for assignment to the 27th Aero Squadron. Nicknamed the "Arizona Balloon Buster", he shot down 14 enemy balloons and four aircraft over a 17 day period before he was killed in action at the age of 21, ranking him second among US Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during World War I. He was buried nearby by French villagers and following the war, his remains were reinterred at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial. Additionally, he received the Italian War Merit Cross and two Distinguished Service Crosses. Luke Air Force Base, near Phoenix, Arizona was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor Citation reads: "After having previously destroyed a number of enemy aircraft within 17 days he voluntarily started on a patrol after German observation balloons. Though pursued by 8 German planes which were protecting the enemy balloon line, he unhesitatingly attacked and shot down in flames 3 German balloons, being himself under heavy fire from ground batteries and the hostile planes. Severely wounded, he descended to within 50 meters of the ground and flying at this low altitude near the town of Murvaux opened fire upon enemy troops, killing 6 and wounding as many more. Forced to make a landing and surrounded on all sides by the enemy, who called upon him to surrender, he drew his automatic pistol and defended himself gallantly until he fell dead from a wound in the chest."
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He posthumously received the award on May 3, 1919 for his actions as a 2nd lieutenant in the 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, US Army Air Service, on September 29, 1918 near Murvaux, France. Following the US into World War I in April 1917, he enlisted in the Aviation Section, US Signal Corps. Following his pilot training, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in March 1918 and four months later he was sent to France for assignment to the 27th Aero Squadron. Nicknamed the "Arizona Balloon Buster", he shot down 14 enemy balloons and four aircraft over a 17 day period before he was killed in action at the age of 21, ranking him second among US Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during World War I. He was buried nearby by French villagers and following the war, his remains were reinterred at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial. Additionally, he received the Italian War Merit Cross and two Distinguished Service Crosses. Luke Air Force Base, near Phoenix, Arizona was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor Citation reads: "After having previously destroyed a number of enemy aircraft within 17 days he voluntarily started on a patrol after German observation balloons. Though pursued by 8 German planes which were protecting the enemy balloon line, he unhesitatingly attacked and shot down in flames 3 German balloons, being himself under heavy fire from ground batteries and the hostile planes. Severely wounded, he descended to within 50 meters of the ground and flying at this low altitude near the town of Murvaux opened fire upon enemy troops, killing 6 and wounding as many more. Forced to make a landing and surrounded on all sides by the enemy, who called upon him to surrender, he drew his automatic pistol and defended himself gallantly until he fell dead from a wound in the chest."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
2 LIEUT. 27 AERO SQDN
ARIZONA
D. S. C.
M.H., U.S.A.
It. C. Di. G.
MEDAL OF HONOR
Family Members
Other Records
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