| World War I Discuss First American shot down? in the Other Eras forums; Does anyone know who the first American military airman to be shot down while serving in an actual US air ... |
Does anyone know who the first American military airman to be shot down while serving in an actual US air unit?
I know Victor Chapman was the first American but he was serving in the Lafayette Escadrille which was a French unit. I am looking for the first American serving in an American unit.
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
Well I was looking it up. I found Captain Phelps Collins. They didnt clarify if he crashed because of Pilot error or got shot down. I'll look into it more
Yeah its not him.
That was my guess as well, but my prof. says I that it is not correct.
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
Ok. I am not having much luck finding anything then. I'll keep trying
Adler, this is what I found........but I'll keep looking also
The first American Airman shot down by enemy fire was Victor Chapman, on June 23, 1916 near Luxeuil-les-Bains near Switzerland. The US had not yet entered WWI and Chapman was one of about two dozen American pilots who volunteered to serve in the French Army, despite the fact that France, Germany and England had many more pilots than the US. The American volunteers were called the Lafayette Escadrille, after the Frenchman famous for helping fight the American Revolution.
The US finally joined the war in October 1917. By March 1918 they had two squadrons of planes, the 94th and 95th. Famous pilots included Major Lufbery, a French-born American from the Lafayette Escadrille, and Eddie Rickenbacher, both famous aces before the war ended.
On March 12 Captain Phelps Collins of the 103rd Aero Squadron crashed while on a combat patrol near Paris, the first member of the American Aviation Section to die in a war zone.
Yeah it is none of them. I have found all of the same info. I am beginning to think I am going to have to look outside of the box and start thinking of Balloon airman going all the way back to the Civil War.
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
Clyde Balsey flying with the Lafayette Escadrille N124 was shot down and wounded on June 18 1916. He managed to land in French trench system making him the first.
source: http://www.afa.org/magazine/Dec2003/1203Kitty.pdf
page nr 4
"A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible."
- Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -
Again he was serving in the French Airforce. The guy I am looking for was serving for the US, hense after the US entered the war.
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
How about this....
The first 47 | Airman | Find Articles at BNET
May 19, 1908
Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge became the first American servicemember to solo in an aircraft, the Aerial Experiment Association's "White Wing." Three months later, on Sept. 17, 1908, while flying as a passenger with Orville Wright, he became the first person to die in an aircraft accident.
"If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!"
He died in an accident. I am looking for the first one to be shot down by enemy fire.
This is a reall tricky one!
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
Now I could be way off on this ..I was thinking that America was at war with Mexico at the late 1800's early 1900's and aircraft were first used..Was the first America shot down then..??????
If so, I can not find a reference to it.
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
What do you think about this Adler?:
Capt James Ely Miller was the first American assigned to an American squadron under American authority. *The date was 9 March 1918 and the sqn was the 95th. *Miller was lost over enemy territory.
History of the WW1 US95th Aero Squadron
"A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible."
- Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -
Yeah according to the proff that is not right either.
fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"
I got the same as V2 from:
WW1 1918 historical timeline for 1st Fighter Group
10 Mar 1918 - 95th - Captain James E. Miller went to Coincy and obtained the Nieuport left there on the 8th and flew it to Coligny where it was turned in for a Spad. He then joined a patrol with Major Davenport Johnson and Major Harmon over the Rheims sector. They were attacked by two German planes inside the German lines. Major Davenport Johnson last saw Captain Miller in a "Vrille" inside the German lines. This was the first casualty to be suffered at the Organization Center and the first battle casualty of the organizations which were to comprise the First Pursuit Group. Captain Seth Low assumed command of the squadron.
I also checked the Mexican Punitive War but the 1st Aero Sqdrn suffered no casualties. Maybe a balloon unit?
"If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!"
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