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

JOHN K. "TEX" La GRONE

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 Parmalee 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 by La Grone escaped with minor injuries. He repaired the plane and obtained F.A.I. Pilot License No. 338 on January 6th, 1915. 

[[strikethrough]] Through [[/strikethrough]] During 1915-1916 La Grone reportedly flew exhibitions throughout Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas, then in 1917 he moved east to become an 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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