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22    RICH FIELD FLYER

(Continued from Page 20)

The 150th was changed to Squadron B on July 14th.

On August 15th, at the formal opening of the Rich Field swimming pool, one of our members carried away a prize.

During August and September many recruits were inducted from Waco and were welcomed. With only three squadrons on the post and all under war strength, many more pairs of willing hands were necessary to keep the ships flying.

On September 17th the squadron again was saddened by the death of Private Charles B. Williams, who was fatally injured when he plunged over an embankment while driving a motorcycle through Camp MacArthur.

The last men to leave Squadron B for overseas went on September 29th.

Squadron B was well represented in the post baseball club. In eight games played but one was lost. The squadron also was represented on the post baseball team.

While home on furlough our comrade "Monty" Marvin Breshears died of Spanish influenza on October 14, 1918. He was liked by all.

On November 20, 1918, Squadron B was merged with Squadron A and C and became known as Section B of the Flying School Detachment. Lieutenant Lee Webster Adams was relieved as Commandant of Squadron B and became executive Officer of the post. 

Official count shows that we still have sixty of the original members of the squadron present and that we have had some 537 men either attached or transferred in and out of the squadron.

The names of the non-commissioned officers who served in the capacity of First Sergeants, in order, follow: M.S. E. McAndress, Sgts. 1st Class William E. Gould and William E. Beigel, Sgt. Hugh C. Allen, better known as "Pop" or the "Flying Fish," now is in charge of Section B.

The Sergeant-Majors, in order, follow: Sgts. 1st Class Homer J. Fagg, Harry E. Bassford, Jr., Sgts. Richard A. Irwin and Clyde W. Sackett.

This presents the history of Squadron B, formerly the 150th Aero Squadron; nevertheless, we could reveal many great occurrences which only the members of the squadron will remember, but space will not permit. However, in behalf of the squadron, we wish to state that we have a feeling of the closest comradeship possible for every member of our competitive organizations, and we wish each individual the best of success in his future occupations. Let us endeavor to keep up the army spirit of fellowship in civilian life, and make our portion of this old world more pleasant and successful for the balance of its life.

History of Squadron C

Squadron C of the Flying School Detachment, formerly known as the 249th Aero Squadron, was born on December 2, 1917, at Kelly Field, South San Antonio, Texas, when its 154 original members were organized under 1st Lieut. George O. White. Three days later, on December 5. 1917, the first lap of our journey had begun. Rich Field was designated as a stop-over only, but after our arrival it seems that we were forgotten in the big game of war.

The work of construction at Rich Field at the time of our arrival was complete, but the work of getting the ships in commission for the training of flyers for "Over There" was yet in its infancy. In a very short time the training of cadets began.

Many changes have taken place in the personnel of the squadron since its organization, and while the 249th remained in Rich Field, more than two-thirds of its original number realized their hopes of getting overseas, with the result that there are approximately only fifty "old timers" in the organization at present.

Among these gone from the squadron are three of our best liked and most popular men, Sergeant Raymond Stone, Pvt. William M. Craven and Pvt. E. M. Granger, who have traveled the long, long trail never to return. These men have made the supreme sacrifice for their flag and country, and while this organization is deeply grieved over the loss, we feel that the 249th has been benefited by having had them with us.

Aside from military duties, this squadron has always taken a keen interest in athletics, which has been best evidenced by its championship in baseball. The Rich Field League was composed of nine teams representing the different organizations of the field who were striving for the cup donated by Sanger Brothers of Waco. This squadron has in its possession at the present time the cup. Our ability in the athletic line has never been fully determined, in view of the fact that we have never been put to a real test at this field--having won every game played in the past championship series. Later, when a team was picked to represent the field, our squadron was well represented.

The command of the squadron has changed hands many times since our first commanding officer, Lieutenant White, was relieved, and our succeeding commanders were ,in the order named, as follows: 2nd Lieut. Wyatt Barbee; 1st Lieut. Fred Edwards, 2nd Lieut. John R. Moore, 1st Lieut. Robert L. Massey, 2nd Lieut. Wyatt Barbee, 2nd Lieut. Ralph B. Claggett and 2nd Lieut. Gerald F. Coons. Lieutenant Coons, who at present is in command of the Flying School Detachment, of which we now are a part, was our last commander prior to the time of the consolidation of the three squadrons on the field, and he has found the same popular place in the regard of the men of the entire detachment as he has in that of the squadron he commanded as a single unit. Other officers connected with the squadron at different times were Lieut. F. L. Samuels, supply officer; Lieut. Fay H. Pollock, supply officer, and Lieutenant Keller, medical officer.

When we left Kelly Field our administrative non-commissioned officers were Sgt. V. E Everett, First Sergeant; Sgt. William R. Dodd, Sergeant Major; Sgt. L. P. Gegrich, Supply Sergeant; Sgt. C. K. Barber, Mess Sergeant.

Since that time these positions have been held by various other members of the squadron, and their names, in order of their time of service, are as follows: First Sergeants, Sgt. M. C. Mai, Sgt. V. E. Everett; Sergeants Major, Sgt. Jerry Cummins, Sgt. John R. Murphy, Sgt. R. M. Litch, Sgt. Jerry Cummins; Supply Sergeants, Sgt. Earl H McNeill; Mess Sergeants, Sgt. Elm Perrigo.

The above list of "non-coms" represent some of the best men of the squadron--men who have won a high place in the regard of those whose affairs they controlled in a large measure, and it has been a pleasure to serve under them.

The associations we have formed since the organization of our squadron are not to be forgotten in a day, and when we have said our last "goodbye" to Rich Field and the officers and enlisted men who have made up its splendid organization, it will be with a feeling that we are being separated from a bunch of good fellows. This will be particularly true in the case of our own squadron, and it will also be true that our thoughts in future years will often revert back to the solid friendships that were formed in the days we spent together while we were members of the old 249th. 

History of Aerial Photo Section No. 47

On May 20, 1918, twenty-four men were selected at the U.S. School of Aerial Photography at Rochester, N.Y., to compose a unit to be sent to Rich Field. These men had completed the prescribed course in photography and were being sent to Rich Field, as they were told, to obtain a few weeks' practical experience preparatory to being sent to Europe.

The following day the unit, minus two men, with Corporal Herbert S. Wedel in charge, entrained for Waco. We arrived in Waco on the morning of the twenty-fourth of May.

Upon arrival at the field we were attached to the 280th Aero Squadron and were placed in close quarantine for ten days. During this period we were given some excellent infantry training in trench digging under Lieutenant Appleberry of the hospital. We spent our ten days constructing a trench system which was intended for gas instruction, but which was never used. 

On June 4th we reported to First Lieut. Philip G. Kemp Photographic Officer of the field, and were assigned to duty in the laboratory.

Three days later we were moved from the detention camp, part of the unit being attached to the 249th Squadron and part to the 72d. These two squadrons welcomed us and extended to us the full privileges of members, chief among which was the right to do K.P. in their mess halls thrice weekly.

Our first few weeks at Rich Field were spent for the most part in laboratory work in connection with the instruction of cadets. After the time, mapping was carried on more extensively.

On June 24th the two men who had been left behind in Rochester, arrived at Rich Field, and after a short time in detention camp reported for duty at the laboratory.

Late in July the men again were united under one roof. At the time the 72d Squadron left the field all the photographers were transferred on attached status to the 249th Squadron and with this squadron, later known as Squadron C, and still later as Section C, Flying School Detachment, they have remained.

On August 1 the unit became known officially as Aerial Photo Section No. 47,

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