Viewing page 22 of 28

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

and on the return from Los Angeles to the Mexican border, then back to North Island, at altitudes of 3,500 to 5,000 feet. While at North Island he trained many flight officers who later became Air Corps notables, including Kilmer, Harnes, Jones, Fitzgerald, MacDill, Martin, Gorrell, Christie, Curry, Dargue and others. Brindles won the Curtiss Marine Trophy October 27th, 1915, flying a Martin Army 90 h.p. (Curtiss OX) Tractor Hydro a distance of 559 miles.
Brindley was commissioned a Major in the United States Army Air Service October 23rd, 1917, where his extensive training and flight test experience was used to [[strikethrough]] evaIute [[/strikethrough]] evaluate the fitness of new experimental airplanes for service requirements. During one of these flights Brindley was instantly killed at South Field, Dayton, Ohio, on May 2nd, 1918, flying an experimental DH-4 military airplane with Liberty engine. Killed with him was a passenger, [[strikethrough]] was [[/strikethrough]] Col. Henry Damm. Their engine quit on takeoff in climb, and while attempting a turn to make a landing they spun in, completely demolishing the plane.
At that time Brindley was a member of an Aeronautics advisory board at McCook Field assigned to special duties. He was survived by his wife who arranged for his burial at Washington Cemetery, Washington, Pennsylvania, her home town.
Flying Pioneer Oscar A. Brindley was an expert pilot with a tremendous amount of flying time who had trained scores of men to fly. A large, pleasant man, he was highly respected and liked by all who knew him. Orville Wright held a very high regard for his judgment and flying ability, and called on his counsel many times during his flying career. A very active pilot, Oscar Brindley contributed much to early American aviation history and gave his life in the service of his country.
His name appears on the Wright Memorial Plaque at Dayton, Ohio, along with the many others who learned to fly there.

R 5-14-63                       4