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EB Pilot Flew with Curtiss Team [[image: photograph of BECKWITH HAVENS standing beside an airplane]] [[image: photograph of David H. Young]] Flying Career Includes WWI Service TRUSTEE - DAVID H. YOUNG President, Early Birds - 1956-57 First Airplane Piloting experience 1913, Hammondsport, N.U., with The Glenn Curtiss Company. Later built plane and accomplished short flights in Columbus, Ohio. Early in 1917 enlisted in Army Signal Corps for flight training. Commissioned 1st Lt. Air Corps Res. - with command duties and over to France for squadron training. Flight leader and Commander of 96th Squadron on day bombing activities in France. World War I over - Assigned Air Corps Headquarters, Washington, D. C. Joined the Pure Oil Company 1920. Then March Field, California. Retired from P. O. June 1959. 1941 Staff 3rd Air Force, Tampa, Fla. 1942 Special Weapons Laboratory, Wright Field Dayton, Ohio. 1943 Air Base Commander, Alaska, South Dakota and Florida, Providing Ground Command. Lt. Colonel U.S. Air Force Command Pilot. (Retired May 1954) 519 East 86th Street New York 28, N. Y. In 1911 Glenn Curtiss taught "Becky" Havens to fly at Hammondsport, N. Y., which started him on a very interesting career. In June 1911, "Becky" joined the Curtiss Exhibition Team and during the first five months flew exhibitions in thirteen States and in Cuba. He was presented with a pearl watch by the City of Havana marking that event. "Becky" Havens flew the first airmail at Savannah, Georgia and made the first flight from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Port Jefferson, Long Island, across Long Island Sound in 1912. He also carried the first passenger across Long Island Sound. Havens was the first National Guard flyer in the United States. He joined the Signal Corps, New York National Guard, and flew at joint maneuvers of the Regulars and National Guard in Connecticut. In 1913 he won the Great Lakes endurance race from Chicago to Detroit via Mackinaw, the first long distance race in this country in a flying-boat, then he continued on to New York. For this race he was awarded the Aero and Hydro Trophy, the Detroit Aero Club Trophy, the Glenn H. Curtiss gold medal, and the Aero Club of America medal of merit. "Becky" Havens made the second flight ever made down the Hudson from Albany to New York and the first flight with a passenger up the Hudson. He was a Navy test-pilot in the First World War and was Commanding Officer of the U. S. Naval Air Base at San Julien, Cuba, in the Second World War. He was also awarded a scroll and medallion by the NAA at the 50th Anniversary of Aviation Celebration in Washington, D. C. "Becky" as also the first Commander of the New York State Civil Air Patrol, and he has done much to promote the use of private planes. In 1941 he was elected President of the Early Birds. His interest in aviation has never diminished. 3rd Vice President Beachey Made First Flight in Balloon [[image - photo of HILLERY BEACHEY]] I rigged a captive balloon for Capt. T. S. Baldwin in 1905 and then operated it at the Lewis and Clark Fair in Portland, Oregon, in 1905. I then rigged a dirigible balloon at Portland in 1905 that Lincoln Beachy made 21 return flights. Then rigged the dirigible balloon that Lincoln Beachey flew over Mexico City in 1908 and 1909. I then made a copy of Curtiss biplane that I flew at the aviation meet that was held January 19, 1910, at Domingez field. I made a biplane in St. Louis in 1911. In 1913 I made a biplane in Max Stupar's basement that I flew at many exhibitions, the last flight at Monon, Indiana, September, 1913. Then in 1914 at Chicago, I helped Lincoln Beachey build a biplane that he flew at exhibitions. In 1915 I helped build a monoplane that failed in a dive over San Francisco, March 14, 1915 at which time my brother lost his life. I did not want a monoplane, it was too fast for exhibition work. Then no more flying for me, my brother's death was a shock to me that lasted for years. Now retired, here in San Carlos, California. Photos and biographical sketches of 1st Vice President Robert G. Fowler and Trustee Col. Arthur R. Christie were not available for this issue of Chirp. 32ND ANNIVERSARY December, 1960, will mark the 32nd anniversary of the Early Birds, the organization having been founded on Dec. 17, 1928. - 9 -
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