Viewing page 22 of 66

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

20   RICH FIELD FLYER

History of Squadron A

Nearly two hundred men of Company D, 3rd Provisional Regiment at Kelly Field, South San Antonio, Texas, were on June 5th 1917, organized into the 39th Aero Squadron, with First Lieut. E. P. Rudiseal, 50th Infantry, in command. 

Kelly Field at that time was not the modern flying field that it is today. Very few buildings had been erected and the barracks and bath houses were of canvas. The 39th had its generous share in the pick and shovel work, besides having men working in the hangers and shops. The monotony, however, was broken with plenty of drill and guard duty.

On August 3rd the command was transferred to Captain M. F. Davis, U. S. A., who received the rank of major about two weeks later, and it was at about the same time that the squadron was moved from tents to barracks.

Approximately one hundred men were assigned to other organizations prior to the transfer of command, and the squadron was brought up to its full strength about August 15th. The new men were mostly recruits from Columbus Barracks, Ohio, and their service in Texas was cut short by an order to move the squadron to Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill. The command was turned over on August 21st to Major John A. Reynolds, S.C., who accompanied the squadron to the new station. The train carrying the men pulled out of Kelly Field on August 24th, and reached Chanute Field the night of the 27th. 

Conditions at the new post were much better. The barracks were painted, porches, doors, and windows screened, plumbing fixtures for steam heating installed, wash bowls in the bath rooms, a room for barber or tailor shop, and ranges already in the kitchen. A company of National Guardsmen did guard duty.

Major Reynolds returned to Kelly Field and First Lieut. Harry M. Smith, A.S.S.O.R.C., was the succeeding commanding officer, with First Lieut. Russell H. Carpenter, A. S. S. O. R. C., as supply officer. It was at this field that the members of the 39th earned the reputation of being a crack aero squadron.

In October the 10th and 16th Aero Squadrons, also stationed at Chanute Field, received their orders for overseas duty, and an interchange, involving about seventy men, was negotiated.

December 10th brought about another change in commanders, this time First Lieut. Bryan McMullen, 144th Infrantry, being made commanding officer, while First Lieut. Gerard H. Hughes, A. S. S. O. R. C., received Lieut. Carpenter as supply officer. This transfer of officers was necessitated by the receipt of orders to proceed to Rich Field, Waco, Texas. The outfit entrained, in zero weather, December 13th, and reached the new station two days later.

Since the arrival of the squadron at this field many of the men have gone tovarious schools, some overseas, some commissioned and the commanding officers and supply officers changed frequently. Lieut McMullen was relieved of the command January 3rd, 1918, by First Lieut. Paul B. King, S. C. A. S., who also took over the supplies. On February 5th, First Lieut. Dennis N. O'Kennedy, Sig.  R. C., A. S., was made supply officer, then on the 12th he also was given command, which he held until March 23rd, when relieved by Capt. J. William Good, Sig. R. C., A. S. On July 22nd 1918, Capt. Vernon L. Burge, A. S. (M. A.), took command of the squadron, succeeding Captain Good.

When the squadrons of this field were combined into the Flying School Detachment, Captain Burge was put in command of the detachment. At  this writing, Lieut. Gerald F. Coons is the commanding officer, having taken command of the detachment January 5th, 1919, Captain Burge being ordered to San Diego, Cal.

The names of the non-commissioned officers who served as First Sergeants, in order, are as follows: Sgts. 1st class Leffingwell and Malone, M. S. E. Logan, Sgts. 1st class Davis and Laramey. The Sergeant-Majors: Sgt. Butterfield, Sgts. 1st class Carvin, Trueman and Foller. The last named was made Sergeant-major December 16th, 1917.

Approximately 650 enlisted men have been members of the squadron at different times. But 71 men remain of the squadron as it arrived from Chanute Field and only 27 of the original 39th Aero Squadron who were members when it was formed. 

Every man in Squadron A is proud of the excellent record and name the squadron bears, despite the fact that its efforts were confined to duty at home.

At this writing it appears that it will be but a short time before most of the Squadron A veterans will be discharged from the service, but even so, the reputation and record they have built for the squadron shall "Carry On" when they are gone. 

History of Squadron B

On the 14th of November, 1917, First Lieut. Walter I. Waite, Sig. R. C., A. S., was appointed commanding officer of the 150th Aero Squadron, which at that time was being organized at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. William E. Gould, Homer J. Fagg and Dudley F. Bentley of the 111th Aero Squadron were transferred to his support and formed the nucleus of the 150th Aero Squadron. On the 15th of November 119 men of the Third Battalion were assigned to the new 150th. In the following six days the squadron was brought to war strength with me from the 5th, 37th and 67th Aero Squadrons.

Road building was our specialty. Guard, K. P. and gather up the rubbish were a few more of our favorite pastimes for passing the long hours. On November 21st, 1917, we received orders to entrain and a shout of joy was heard from every man. Several squadrons were sent to England direct from Kelly Field, and we were positive that such would be the good fortune of the 150th.

We entrained at 10:00 a. m. and at 5:00 p. m. we were standing in front of Barracks No. 21, Rich Field, hardly able to realize that such was to be our home in the coming months. After eating from mess kits, using mother earth, taking a shower with nothing but the blue sky as a roof, sleeping in tents on bed springs, and building roads for several weeks, it did not seem possible that we were to eat from real dishes in a mess hall, have a good shower with hot water, sleep in warm barracks with real mattresses to lie our weary heads upon— and no roads to build.

Three Majors, one Captain and two Lieutenants formed the personnel of this post upon our arrival. There were no planes assembled, but even though our men were untrained as aeroplane mechanics, the first plane was assembled in one day. In a short time the 150th developed into a "crack" squadron with an enviable record. 

On December 6th, 1917, the 171st and 249th Aero Squadrons arrived from Kelly Field. On December 15th, 1917, the 39th Aero Squadron arrived from Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill.

We found that every State in the Union and practically every country across the sea was represented in the 150th. 

Flying continued throughout the winter from 7 a. m. until 8 p. m. The mechanics gave the barrack room orderlies an added job keeping water hot so motors could be started. An immense wood pile near Hangar No. 1 spoiled several Sundays, owing to the fact that flying was carried on twelve hours daily through the week, which made it necessary to remove this eyesore on our days of rest.

On January 16th, 1918, fifteen of our members were transferred to the 171st Aero Squadron, which left for England a few days later. 

On January 24th, 1918, First Lieut. Walter I. Waite, Sig. R. C., A. S.,was relieved as our Commanding and Supply Officer and appointed Assistant Adjutant. Second Lieut. Lee Webster Adams, Sig. R. C., A. S., was then assigned as Commanding Chief Officer, with Second Lieut. Herrick J. Grossman, Sig. R. C., A. S., as Supply Officer.

On April 1, 1918, Lieutenant Adams was appointed First Lieutenant, much to the satisfaction of the members of his squadron.

During February, March and April, twenty-four men were attached to the squadron. These men came from the motor schools at St. Louis and St. Paul.

On April 15th, 1918, ten of our members were sent to the Mechanical Training School at St. Paul. 

May 2, 1918, we lost our Top Sergeant, William E. Gould, who was sent to the Officers' Training Camp, Camp Lee, Va. Two other members accompanied him on his quest for bars.

We lost six members May 5th, they being sent to St. Louis, for mechanical training.

On May 25th, 1918, the men were saddened by the death of Private First Class William M. Snyder, who, with Lieutenant Kuen, lost his life in an airplane crash. As a last tribute to them, the officers of the post and members of the squadron accompanied their bodies to the depot, while planes dropped flowers and wreaths along the way. 

July 5th, twelve of our members were transferred to the Seventh Division Infantry, Camp MacArthur. July 11th we again lost a few men and in the exchange received six good men from the 72nd and 223rd Squadrons, which left for England a few days later. On the 23rd we exchanged 32 men with the 280th and 355th, which also left for England. 

(Continued on Page 22)