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[[stamp]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamp]]

11 JOHN K. 'TEX' La GRONE

21 Pioneer Aviator - Instructor - Barnstormer

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John K. "Tex" LaGrone was born at Raymond, Mississippi, April 21, 1881. Information is lacking concerning his early life and education, but he became determined to learn to fly after a ride with early Wright pilot Phil Parmelee at Dominguez Flying Field, Los Angeles, California, in 1911. Reportedly he remained at Los Angeles and later completed a flying course at some flying school, but dates and place are lacking.

Following this he acquired a Curtiss-type pusher biplane and began flying exhibitions in the mid-southern states. In early November, 1914, he had his first smashup at Holly Springs, Mississippi, when his plane struck an automobile, which broke his fall. Plane and car were both badly wrecked but La Grone escape with minor injuries. He repaired the plane and obtained F.A.I. Pilot License No. 338 on January 6 [[strikethrough]] th [[/strikethrough]], 1915.

During [[strikethrough]] Through [[/strikethrough]] 1915-1916 La Grone reportedly flew exhibitions throughout Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas, then in 1917 he moved east to become and instructor for the Staten Island School of Aviation. He also did some exhibition flying that season and was a contestant at an air meet held in connection with automobile races at Sheepshead Bay Race Track on Long Island. [[strikethrough]] , New York. [[/strikethrough]]

During the late fall of 1917, La Grone became a civilian instructor with the Signal Corps, U.S. Army flight training school at Love Field, Dallas, Texas where he remained through 1918.

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