• Acton, Wilbur Washington

     M.561  First Officer Wilbur Washington 'Bee' Acton 

    flag usa

     b. 23 Dec 1915, Xenia, Ohio

    16 May 1941 to 15 May 1942

    and

    12 Aug 1943 to 8 Jul 1944

     

     

    ata bee acton 1941

    Montana Standard et al, 1941

      ATAM    

     

    Father: William Albert Acton, 120 W 3rd St, Xenia, OH (later moved to Dayton, OH)

    Mother: Irene [Reece]

    Ed. Xenia High School

    prev. airplane sales, charter work for Dave Peterson Charter Service in Wichita, Kansas

    prev. exp. 360 hrs on Beechcraft F17D, Culver Cadet, Cessna C145-165, Stinson, Cessna T50

    Address in 1941: Wichita, Kansas

    "Disregarding the fate of his friend, Bee Acton, of Wichita, Kan., has signed up for a year's service ferrying bomber and fighter planes from Canada to England [sic]. Acton, a commercial pilot, joined up shortly after his friend, Jim Wright, also of Wichita, was reported killed when a submarine sank the ship on which he was returning [sic] from England." 

    At the end of his first contract the ATA described him as "a keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engne and light and medium7 twin aircraft. He proved a good type of officer and his behaviour was quite satisfactory."

    His second contract was for 18 months with a "cessation of hostilities" clause included.


     janes anson

    d. 8 Jul 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Anson NK773 which was in a mid-air collision with Oxford X7134 and crashed at Rodbourne, 5 miles NE of Hullavington.

    Pilot Flt Lt. Bernard N Phillips [RAF Serial No 45885] and passenger Sqn Ldr William A. Law [79047] in the Oxford were both killed.

    The accident report says "Whilst the Anson was flying just below the cloud base an Oxford aircraft, piloted by an RAF pilot, came out of the cloud and struck the tail plane of the Anson. Both aircraft crashed in a field and were destroyed, all three occupants being killed."

    "Neither pilot is held responsible for this accident."

    headstone bee acton

    Buried Maidenhead Cemetery (Section C, No 14KK).

    The wording on the memorial is from Tennyson's poem 'Crossing the bar':

    I hope to meet my pilot

    Face to face

    When I have crost the bar


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Alexander, William Hamlet

     M.--- 2nd Officer  William Hamlet 'Bill' Alexander 

    flag usa

     b. 13 Oct 1894, Paterson New Jersey  12 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata bill alexander 1940 2 1940      

     

    Ed. Harvard Medical School

    WWI, 1917-18

    "First Great War flyer and pilot on the first New York to Bermuda flight in 1930"

    d. 6 Oct 1979 - Iron Mountain, MI 

     

  • Allen, Myrtle Rita (W.106)

     W.106  2nd Officer  Myrtle Rita 'Mikki' Allen 
     flag usa  b. 26 Nov 1916, Paterson NJ  12 Aug-42 to 11 Feb-44 

     ata myrtle allen 1945 1945

         

     

     

    Father: William A Allen, mother Jeanette

    Ed; Hawthorne High School, American School in Tokyo, Columbia University, NYC

    prev. Mechanical Dept, Curtiss Propeller

     One of the original members of the 99 Club of women aviators.

    She and her mother had visited the UK, in 1930

     prev. exp. 325 hrs

     Address in 1942: 70 Warren Ave, Hawthorne, NJ


    Postings: 15FPP

    One accident:

    - 12 Sep 1942; she overshot her landing in a Hart, applied the brakes too harshly and the aircraft turned over.

    Off sick from 22 Sep to 5 Oct 1942 with bronchial catarrh, and 18 Nov 1942 to 7 Feb 1943 with 'post-operation debility'


    m. 23 Aug 1945 in St Louis MO, Major Joseph Watkins Carter, US Army Signal Corps. They met in London and had been engaged since Christmas Day 1942.

    They divorced sometime before 1953.

    After ATA, Myrtle served with the WASPs.

     ata myrtle allen WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

    but went to stay with her husband in Italy from 5 Nov 1946 to 14 May 1947, and then spent two years in Japan, 1951-53

     m. 1953 in Paterson., NJ, Carl Henry Willer

    Later a secretary with the US Treasury Dept; moved to Florida in 1965 from Washington DC.

    d. 10 Jun 1966 - Tampa, FL (Age 49)

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Allen, Raymond Sylvester

     M.---- First Officer  Raymond Sylvester Allen 
     flag usa   b. 15 Jan 1921, Bristow Oklahoma 22 Mar 1941 to 21 Mar 1942

     

         

     

    Father: Joe Allen, mother Agnes [Johnson]

    "He resigned as an instructor and pilot at Beaumont, MO with a record of 1,800 commercial flying hours" - The World, 28 Apr 1941

    Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Blecker Makepeace, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) and Emmett Chaffin


    Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Raymond S. Allen

     

    d. 5 Aug 1999, Bristow OK

  • Alsop, Howard Charles

     M.163 First Officer   Howard Charles Alsop

    flag england

    flag usa

    b. 21 Mar 1909, Manchester  19 Oct 1940 to Feb-41 

           

     

    (Naturalised 1916)

    Address in 1940: 41 Clifford St, Hartford, CT

    prev. pilot; 3 yrs in 118 Observation Sqn, Connecticut NG, 4 yrs AAA Aerial Survey

    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Charles Smith, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    [Resigned]

    Later joined Eastern Airlines

    d. 1979


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Anderson, Homer Edward

     M.496  First Officer Homer Edward Anderson 
    flag usa  b. 30 Jan 1918, Terre Haute, IN

    13 Mar 1941 to 16 Mar 1942

     [368 days]


     

         

     

    Ed. Indian State High School, Terre Haute; W.C. Bryant Grammar School, University of New Mexico

    Next of kin: (Mother) Mrs F R Jones, 3405 Wabash-Terre Haute, IN

    prev. a trainee for Sears Roebuck & Co, Chicago IL.

    Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago IL


    Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Emmett Chaffin (M.568), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531)


    Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - See CNAC Captain Homer E. Anderson, Jr.

    Joined Consolidated Airways Inc. (Convair's own transport service, which used B-24s to carry personnel and cargo, and delivered aircraft, to the Pacific Theatre), and moved to San Diego then Santa Cruz, CA.

    m. Marilyn [Richardson] of Jacksonville, FL. Their son Homer Edward Anderson III was born in Santa Cruz, CA on 6 May 1944.

    d. Sep 1973, Seattle WA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Anding, Elbert Beard

     M.316 First Officer  Elbert Beard 'Tex' Anding 

    flag usa

     b. 11 Apr 1905, Rosebud, TX  26 Sep 1940 to Aug-41 

     ata elbert anding ATA      

     

    Address in 1940: 2 Anding Ave, Merrick, Long Island New York

    Joined the engineering staff of the Berliner-Joyce Aircraft Corp, Baltimore, in 1929

    Operated the E.B. Anding Flying Service in Haiti; had also done crop dusting

    prev. exp. 4,980 hrs

    "A sound and intelligent pilot."

    Seconded ("Loaned") to Atlantic Ferry Organisation (Atfero), 20 Mar 1941

    ata elbert anding danny dugan atfero

    left, with Al Torrey (?Eaglerock) of Atfero


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 14 Aug 1941 - one of four ATA pilots, travelling as passengers, amongst the 22 killed in the crash of Liberator AM260 when taking off from Ayr.

    The others were Philip Lee (M.228), Buster Trimble and Martin Wetzel.

    The cause of the crash was that "the pilot in command [Cpt Richard Charles Stafford of BOAC] started the take off procedure from runway 06 which was not suitable for the takeoff as it was too short for such aircraft."

    In October, his wife Jessie wrote bitterly to the ATA:

    "Dear Sir,

    I have in my possession a check for $1,005 as full settlement of my late husband's salary. I feel there has been a mistake in the amount, which I sincerely hope was not intended by the ATA.

    Although it is to no avail to blame anyone for the accident I cannot help feeling that to a certain extent it was nothing more than 'manslaughter'. Capt. Stafford on two occasions at St Hubert airport in Montreal almost let his ships get away from him. Both occasions Capt. Anding was in the ships and I have heard my husband and other pilots discuss the fact that Capt. Stafford was not capable of flying the ships assigned to him. Of course "mere Americans" to even dare assume that an Englishman couldn't out-fly them would be something short of "treason".

    and his brother-in-law added: "... in conversation with [Elbert] I learned there were only two things he was afraid of, Fire and Capt. Stafford - he met both."

    Jessie had suffered financial hardship as a result of her husband's death (he had no insurance), but refused to cash the cheque for some months in protest at what she regarded as the shabby treatment handed out to her and the other families.

    Eventually, on 16 July 1942, an ex-gratia payment of $4,000 was agreed for Jessie, with a further $4,000 in War Bonds in the name of their 9 year-old daughter Mary Anne.

    Jessie wrote back to say she was "... greatly pleased. Might I add that any sarcasm I have shown in past correspondence has not been towards any one individual but to all those who from lack of foresight failed to realize the value and ability of other mankind."

     


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  • Annibal, Donald Lee

     M.165  Flight Captain  Donald Lee Annibal

    flag usa

    b. 7 Nov 1915, Stroh, IN  12 Oct 1940 to Jul-42 

           

     

    A Commercial pilot - in June 1940 he made a 'perfect' forced landing on the riverbank of the Los Angeles River.

    Address in 1940: c/o his father Lee H Annibal, 2482 Tyler Ave, Detroit, MI


    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Charles Smith, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 2FPP, 14FPP

    m. Apr 1942 in Bristol, Glos, Patricia M [Harris], 1 child

    "An excellent pilot. Discipline above reproach."


    B 25 Mitchell

    d. 23 Feb 1943 when a member of RAF Ferry Command, in Mitchell FR148 lost out of Gander

    Commemorated at Runnymede


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ansley, James Whitaker

     M.511 First Officer  James Whitaker 'Whit' Ansley 
    flag usa  b.4 Jul 1908, Marshallville, GA 

    17 Mar 1941 to 22 May 1943

     [796 days]


     

    ata whit ansley 1942

    News-Press Fort Myers, 20 Jun 1942

         

     

    Father: Joseph, a Baptist Minister

    Ed. Fort Myers High School

    m. 1940 Mary Louise [Foxworthy d. 2008], 1 daughter (Margaret Louise [Loy] d. 2015)

    prev. Circulation Manager, News-Press Fort Myers 1925-41

    Address in 1941: Apt 6-2010 Jackson St, Fort Myers, FL


    Postings: 2 FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 1FPP

    "A very good and careful pilot. Navigation very good; keen but inclined to be a little nervous of our weather. Conduct very good."

    He told the Fort Myers News Press: "Can't say how I came over from England except that I didn't swim or use a rowboat... After this job is over, maybe I can tell a few stories. That's one reason I came back to the States for a visit. I was hungry for a few good American jokes. The English are a good lot but not too long on humor."

    "Sure we have plenty to eat in England. The English people are long on morale. You can believe all you have read about the big raids on Germany. England has plenty of planes and with the help of the American Air Force there is no limit to the damage that can be inflicted on Germany from the air. The big show is terrific and no country can stand up under bombing of thousands of planes at one time. We ferry pilots don't do that kind of flying but we do handle plenty of ships that have been over the Channel."

    "Whit grinned and denied that he came across the Atlantic with Churchilll. He did admit to having seen Churchill on a couple of occasions. 'That guy gets around', said Ansley."


     

    In 1944, he was one of the pilots sent to look for Austin Drumm (see above), who had bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. They had travelled to the UK together in 1941.

    d. 3 Nov 1971, Tampa: "Mr. Ansley had lived in Tampa for the past 17 years and was associated with the Coates Oil Equipment Co. Prior to World War Two he served as a ferry pilot with the ATA in England and served as a pilot with the US Navy during World War Two and the Korean War as a Lt. Commander."

    "After the war he returned to Fort Myers and for a time was manager of Page Field after the government turned it over to the county... About 3 years ago he retired as sales manager of the Coates Oil Equipment Co. of Tampa when he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. Since the accident he had been an invalid and entered Bay Pines last Saturday when stricken with pneumonia."

    buried Myrtle Hill Memorial Gardens, Tampa.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Arnette, Kenneth Russell

     M.334 First Officer   Kenneth Russell Arnette
     flag usa   b. 31 Aug 1912, Rutherfordton VA  25 Jan 1941 to Jan-42

     ata kenneth arnetteATA

         

     

    Married, no children

    prev. Barnstorming; Arnette's Air Show (Stunting shows)

    Address in 1941: Henderson, NC

    Next of Kin: c/o Arnette's Ice Cream Co., Richmond, Virginia


    Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP

    "A sound and experienced pilot and in every way satisfactory."


    Killed in action in the India-Burma Theatre 4 Feb 1945

    buried Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery – St. Louis, Mo.

    "Learned to fly at the Meyer Airport near Hendersonville, N.C. A graduate of Hendersonville High School where he was an outstanding athlete, he is survived by his mother and four brothers. James Arnette Jr served in the US Navy, Sgt Roy A Arnette with the AAF in France, W C Arnette with the Seabees in the Aleutians, and Milton Prince Arnette, who lives in Hendersonville."

    His brother Roy owned Arnette's Ice Cream Co; he was killed when 3 armed men robbed the company in 1974, hit him on the head and shot him in the arm.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ballard, Edwin Dana

     M.579 First Officer  Edwin Dana 'Eddie' Ballard 

    flag usa

    b. 7 Sep 1913, Holyoke, Mass.  5 Jun 1941 to 23 Jan 1945 

      ATAM

      ATAM    

     

    Father: Harry Earl Ballard, mother Caroline S [Evans]

    Ed. Highland Grammar School, Holyoke; Augusta Military Academy, Long Island, NY

    prev. 1933-34 US Army 62nd Coast Artillery, Private First Class;

    Operator, Valley Air Sales, Springfield, Mass.; Paper Maker. Purchasing Agent

    prev. exp. 470 hrs

    Address in 1941: Leahey Ave, South Hadley Center, Mass.


     Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP

    Reprimanded in Aug-42 for 'flying at low altitude', and suspended for 1 week in Feb-43 for 'taking off in Spitfire with hood open'

    2 accidents, one his fault:

    - 12 Apr 1942, his Spitfire nosed over after taxying into an unmarked soft patch, and

    - 9 Feb 1944, when his Anson developed an engine problem and he did a precautionary landing, but then took off again even though there was a 200rpm mag. drop. Again, the engine misbehaved, so he had to do another forced landing. "It is considered that the pilot made an error of judgement in deciding to take off in the circumstances."

    "A capable and hard working pilot who makes a good officer if he watches his tongue" "His flying is good and his keenness to take on any work at any time cannot be considered anything but first rate"

    "He talks too much and too loudly and appears to have a profoundly irritant effect on many of his colleagues. He is, however, good natured and quick-witted."

    He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Manley Fairbrother, and Harry Kindberg.

    m. 1942 Ethel (Ruth) Lambton, also of the ATA and Edwin then spent September 1943 to January 1943 in the USA.

    In September 1944 Edwin, Ruth and her son Peter Lambton, age 9, sailed to the USA.

    In January, Ruth and Edwin were hauled before a disciplinary court for 'drinking during an unauthorised period in spite of a warning by a senior officer' and 'insubordination'.

    The Court was inclined Not to overlook the offences. "After considering the evidence, and after hearing verbal evidence given by Commander Whitehurst and Captain Rome the Court reached the conclusion that the charges were fully substantiated, and after reviewing the record of both these officers, who as pilots have undoubtedly done a good job, the Court nevertheless came to the conclusion that their disciplinary record throughout, as disclosed by the History Cards, has left a great deal to be desired, despite repeated warnings, and that this incident is so bad as to warrant their instant dismissal".

    Ruth and Edwin were duly dismissed on the 23rd January 1945. 


    They sailed to the USA on the 21 Feb (to Edwin's home town of Hadley, MA), had 2 more children and then moved to Nassau, Bahamas in 1950 where Eddie took a job as a pilot for Bahama Airlines.

    ATA women in Nassau 1957 

    Ann Wood-Kelly, Lettice Curtis, Ruth Ballard and Winnie Fair, in the Bahamas in 1957 (ELC)

    d. 31 Mar 1978 - Nassau


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  • Bender, Francis Everett

     M.122 * First Officer  Francis Everett Bender 

    flag usa

     b. 1904, Lopez Sullivan Pennsylvania   c. 20 Oct 1940 to 3 Aug 1941

           

     

    Address in 1940: Union NY


    Arrived in the UK 11  Nov 1940 on the SS Duchess of Atholl, with his fellow ferry pilots Howard Charles Alsop (M.165), - Donald Lee Annibal (M.163), Robert Olyn Gragg (M.173), Dan B Jacques, Charles John Smith, Malcolm F Stewart and Roy Edwin Wimmer.

    Postings: 14FPP


    DB7 3

     d. 3 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) in Havoc AH463 which crashed In bad visibility into hills New Cumnock Ayrshire


    ata francis bender grave findagrave.com

    buried Monkton and Prestick Cemetery

     

  • Berry, Simpson Fernald

     M.589 3rd Officer   Simpson Fernald Berry
     flag usa b. 7 Nov 1905, Boston MA   26 May 1941 to Feb-42

     

         

     

    prev. 'Civilian Military Training Camp from Aug-Sep 1925. Rank Private' (that appears to be it)

    also, testing refrigerators and ferrying 'new small aeroplanes'


    Contract Terminated by ATA - Failure to reach required standard (3 pilot-at-fault accidents), coupled with disobedience of ATA Standing Orders by repeatedly flying above heavy cloud.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bertram, Peter Andreas

     M.619 First Officer  Peter Andreas Bertram Jr 

    flag usa

      b. 28 Dec 1919, Mattoon, IL 31 May 1941 to 30 Mar 1945 

      ATAM

         

     

    father: also Peter Andreas Bertram [originally from Denmark, naturalised 1922], owner and operator of the Mattoon Butter Co., d. 1965

    Ed. High School, Monmouth IL

    m. 1945 Ellen Rose [Huckleberry], 1 daughter (Linda Lee)

    prev. a ferry pilot and inspector at Piper Aircraft Corp. Lock Haven , PA

    Address in 1941: 846 4th St, Charleston, IL


    d. 24 Feb 1989 - Fort Myers, FL

    ata peter bertram grave buried Mattoon, IL

    "Peter A. Bertram Jr, moved here 17 years ago from Charleston, Ill, and he had owned and operated the Beach View Cottages on Sanibel Island. He served as Captain in the Air Transport Auxiliary of the RAF of England from 1940 to 1945 [sic]. Mr. Bertram was a  member of the Sanibel-Captiva Power Squadron, and was a former member of the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel and Motel Assoc of Lee County, and the Charleston Rotary Club of Charleston, Illinois."

    News-Press, Fort Myers FL


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  • Beville, Emmitt Eugene

     M.1  First Officer Emmitt Eugene Beville 

    flag usa

      b. 10 May 1911, Lees Summit, MO  3 Oct 1940 to May-41

     ata emmitt beville ATA      

     

    Ed. Burlesan College (M.A.)

    m. M. E. , 1 son Thomas

    prev. "Aviation"

    Address in 1940: 202 Canterbury Dr, Terrill Hills, San Antonio TX


    Postings: 6FPP

    1 Accident, not his fault:

    - 6 Sep 1940, Hurricane broke tail wheel when landing - possibly a fault in the material.

    Seconded to AtFero in 20 Mar 1941

    WWII US Draft Card shows he was employed by Canadian Pacific Railway Air Service Dept on 16 April 1941

    Contract Terminated 13 May 1941 - "Deserted"


    1943-44 Joined American Export Airlines (Naval Air Transport Service) as a pilot

    1945-47, was a pilot for American Overseas Airlines and lived at 407 Bayou View, Houston TX

    m. 25 Dec 1948 Marie [Oscar] in Florida

    1951 Pilot for Pan American

    d. 8 Dec 1974 (age 63) - American Hospital of Paris, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Beville, Steven Calhoun

     M.219  First Officer Steven Calhoun Beville 

    flag usa

      b. 10 Sep 1914, Gainesville, FL

    7 Dec 1940 to 9 Dec 1941 

    [367 days]


     

    ata steve and bernadette beville findagrave.com

     

         

     

     

    ata steve beville

    m. to Bernadette [Dulin] [d. Mar 1990, Indiana]

    Address in 1940: 836 Bauer St, Hammond, Indiana

    prev. a printer, and airport operator

    Postings: 1FPP

     "This pilot is absolutely first class & one of the keenest and hardest working in the pool."

    d. 6 Jul 2000 - Indiana

    "Veteran, Pilot. Flew the infamous P51 Mustang named "The Galloping Ghost" which won many of the Cleveland Air Races and Thompson Trophy Races. Former Spokesman for Kendall Oil. Married to Bernadette Dulin Beville for 56 years."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bishop, David Arthur

     M.626  First Officer David Arthur Bishop 
     flag usa   b. 3 Mar 1911, Hilbert Wisconsin  23 Jun 1941 to 13 Sep 1943

     

    ata david bishop 1946

    1946

     

    ata david bishop 1948

    1948  (both Green Bay Press-Gazette)

       

     

    ather: Willmer Bishop (dec'd) Mother: Catherine [Martin]

    ed. West Green Bay High School (grad. 1929)

    prev. a driver on an automobile boat; a shipping clerk on a boat dock, Manager of Brown County Airport, and a commercial pilot.

    Address in 1941: 231 Allard Ave, Green Bay, Wisonsin ([Mother's address]

    "slight scar on nose"


    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 2FPP

    Suspended for 4 days in Mar-43 following a wheels-up forced landing in Botha L6508, after he forgot to check that the fuel cocks were correctly set

    Suspended for 4 days in Jun-43 for "a breach of discipline and non-compliance with Standing Order"

    "A capable and intelligent pilot of above average ability"...

    "During the last two months [Aug-Sep 1943] his discipline has improved tremendously, and he has proved to be a most competent pilot who works hard."


    Joined the USAAF in December 1943 (as a private, having first been "listed as a delinquent" when he failed to turn up as agreed in October).

    "After serving as an instructor on B-25s, A-20s, P-38s, C-47s, AT-6s and several other types of trainers, he was sent in February 1945 to the Asia-Pacific theater as a pilot in the Air Transport Command. He served here eight months, and completed 75 flights over the Himalaya "Hump". He holds the Air Medal, Pacific Theater Ribbon with one battle star, European and American Theater ribbons, and pre-Pearl Harbor, Allied Service and Victory ribbons."

    Post-WWII, worked for the Green Bay Auto Distributors as a salesman, and was Democratic candidate for the Green Bay 'Register of Deeds' in November 1948.

    m. 1957 Anna [Sadsuske], 1 daughter.

    Moved to California in 1960 and operated an auto parts business in Oakland.

    d. 4 Mar 1965 - Contra Costa, CA 

    ata david bishop grave 

    buried http://schema.org/PostalAddress" itemprop="address">Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin

     

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  • Bowhan, Francis Dawson

     M.---  2nd Officer Francis Dawson "Chief" Bowhan 

    flag usa

      b. 30 Apr 1901, Elgin, Kansas 14 Aug 1940 to 2 Oct 1940 

      ata francis bowhan ancestry      

     

    m. 1921 (divorced, remarried 1934) Charlotte [Blair]

    prev. a racing, joy-ride and test pilot

    Address in 1940: Pawhuska, Osage, Oklahoma


    ATA Contract Terminated 2 Oct 1940

    The ATA's Administration Officer wrote to him: "You called here yesterday afternoon with a Medical Certificate to the effect that you were unfit for duty and I instructed you to take it to the Chief Instructor and collect my letter, which you did not do.

    As a result of this failure to obey instructions in addition to the complaints about you referred to in my letter, the Minister of Aircraft Production has decided that you are unsuitable for the duty for which you were brought to this country"


    d. 23 Apr 1944 - Kansas City, MO

    ata francis bowhan grave

    Buried Pawhuska City Cemetery

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Boyd, Casey Thomas

     M.176  First Officer Casey Thomas Boyd 

    flag usa

     b. 3 Aug 1911, Clayton, AL  25 Oct 1940 to 24 Apr 1943 

           

     

    Father: George T Boyd, Mother: Mary Clara

    Ed. High School, Blue Springs, AL

    prev. Aviation Machinist; US Navy pilot from 1930 to 1940

    Arrived in Liverpool on 20 Nov 1940, having sailed from Montreal, with fellow ATA pilot William Gregg


    Postings: 8FPP, 2FPP, 14FPP

    Class V (4-engine) pilot

    Suspended for a week in 1941 due to "Breach of regulations relating to collection of aircraft", and

    Suspended for another day and fined $20 due to going AWOL

    4 accidents, none deemed his fault:

    - 1 Feb 1941, the wheels of his Blenheim stuck in an unmarked soft patch

    - 28 Jan 1942, on landing his Beaufort AW345 on slippery ground at Kemble, the brakes failed to grip "owing to [the] bad state of Kemble aerodrome for delivery of Beaufort aircraft"

    - 10 Apr 1942, whilst taxying his Beaufighter I X7825 at Sealand, the tail wheel fell into a small unmarked excavation

    - 14 Oct 1942, forced landing after the starboard engine of his Beaufighter VIc T5265 failed on take off, possibly due to the engine running for a long period on the ground

     

    "Continues to be a most valuable member of this Pool, both as regards his flying qualities and his conduct."


    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command

    Casey's Draft Card, dated 26 Jul 1943

    Later flew 'The Hump with CNAC - see CNAC Captian Casey T. Boyd

     

     d. 24 Nov 1970 - Clayton, Alabama


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Breen, Patrick Francis

     M.---   Patrick Francis "Patty" Breen 

    flag eire

    flag usa

     b. 10 May 1905, County Kerry, Ireland  22 Aug to 12 Sep 1940 

            

     

    Naturalised American 1934

    Address in 1940: 37-20 76th St, Jackson Heights, Long Island NY


    ATA Contract Terminated - Inefficiency

    "Herewith, I forward Flight Test Reports on the five American pilots, who reported on the 22 August. From these, you will see that only two are in the class of pilot we require.

    Passed: Ortman, Phillips

    Failed: Breen, McCory, Wickford"


    d. 18 Dec 1969 - Denton, TX 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Browne, James Sallee

     M.530 2nd Officer   James Sallee 'Jimmy' Browne

    flag usa

     b. 27 Jan 1921, Evanston IL  22 May 1941 to Mar-42

     

     ata james sollee browne

    http://www.cnac.org/jamesbrowne01.htm

         

     

    Promoted to First Officer, 15 Feb 1942;

    Demoted to 2nd Officer, 6 Mar 1942 [Dangerous Flying and taking off on an unauthorised flight]

    "Hardworking and capable but not always reliable - now and again indulges in low or dangerous flying"

    [Contract Terminated 23 Mar 1942 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons]


    d. c.17 Nov 1942; his China National Air Corporation C-47 went missing flying between China and India.

    In October 1945, his mother wrote to the ATA:

    "Dear Sir,

    We have today received the log book of our son, James S Browne, who was in your service '41-2 as First Officer. He was first stationed at Maidenhead and later at Ratcliffe Hall, Leicester. Perhaps you did not know him personally, or may not have been at White Waltham at the time he was in service - but, in any case, I wanted to let you know that after he returned to the States April 1942, he was engaged by the Pan American & China National Aviation Corporation to transport supplies over the 'Hump' from India to China.

    He flew a DC-3 to Calcutta shortly after his return from England and shortly after his arrival there, was made Captain of a C-47. As you may know that is the most treacherous flying in the world, and the weather conditions are very bad.

    Jim has been missing since Nov 17, 1942. and no trace of him, the plane, or the crew. Almost three years have passed and, of course, we are offered no hope from the China { } - the anxiety has been terrible. He was 21 and our only child.

    It does not help to know that millions of others are also suffering. This is our own personal sorrow.

    I shall be so very glad if you will be good enough to let us know if you happened to know Jim, or did anyone else in your station - it would be a comfort to us to hear from any of his friends. It seems so unreal to us now, that year he spent in England, so long ago - but it was only in 1941. We had not entered the war at the time and Jim did not have to go, but was anxious to try out for that job. He was so very young.

    Hoping to hear from you again, which we shall very much appreciate.

    Sincerely, 

    Harriet S Browne (Mrs Herbert S Browne)

    653 Hill Road, Winnetka, Illinois"

    The wreckage was not discovered until 2011, 13,400 feet up a mountain in China's Yunnan province.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Bryson, Travis

     M.---  2nd Officer Travis Bryson 

    flag usa

    b. 2 Feb 1908, Gainsville TX  3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

            

     

    Father: Walter (a builder); Mother: George B

    [Yes, his mother's name was apparently George]

    prev. Instructor for Aero Corp of California

    Address in 1940: 1019 W 102nd St, Los Angeles CA

    m. Sep 1940 Dorothy Lillian [Hayward], from Bath, in Bristol (Blimey, he was only here for a month)

    "Wanting her baby to be born an American citizen, Mrs Bryson made arrangements for her passage over, without telling her parents."

    Their daughter Christina was born in Los Angeles on 3 Mar 1943.

    In December 1942, an employee of Lockheed; by 1945 the Douglas Aircraft Co. representative assigned to Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri.

     The 3 of them travelled back to the UK in the "Queen Elizabeth" in Feb 1947 and stayed until Aug 1948.

    d. 21 Jun 1991 - Los Angeles

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Burnett, Gerard


     M.975  3rd Officer Gerard Burnett 
     flag usa  b. 3 Oct 1920, Racine, WI  31 May 1943 to 31 Oct 45

     ata gerard burnett 1945

         

     

     [ab initio]

    prev. an ATA Ground Engineer from 1942; an ab initio pupil who "took to flying easily, particularly in Class 1 and 2."


    Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP, 8FPP, 4FPP

    Certificate of Commendation "for displaying exceptional airmanship. On 15 Nov 44 he landed his aircraft in a small field after hydraulic failure had filled the cockpit and sprayed him with a large quantity of hydraulic fluid possessing powerful anaesthetic properties."

    "A keen pilot who has settled down to doing a very good job."

    2 accidents, one his fault.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Canning, Ralph Vincent

     M.221  First Officer Ralph Vincent Canning 

    flag usa

      b.1 Dec 1904, San Francisco CA  9 Aug 1940 to 8 May 1941

      ata ralph canning ATA      

    Ed. High School

    m. R, 2 children

    prev. "Aviation"

    Address in 1940: 1823 2nd Ave, Sacramento CA

     ata kleaver canning du puy 1940 3 Sep 1940

    "Ken Kleaver, Ralph Canning and Fred Du Puy ["Berkeley World War Aviator", later a Lt-Col, USAAF], all from California, en route to Canada where they will serve the British Government"

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    Suspended without pay for a week in Jan-41 for "General Misdemeanour" [as was his fellow 'California Prune Picker' Ken Kleaver]

    Off sick from 21 Feb 1941

    Contract Terminated 8 May 1941

    d. 1969, Texas

     

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Carragher, Francis Dean

     M.31 First Officer  Francis Dean Carragher 

    flag usa

     b. 19 Feb 1915, Greenville, Texas 8 Oct 1940 to 1 Feb 1941 

     ata francis carragher College photo

      

    1939, when a student pilot at Randolph Field, TX

       

     

    Father: Sidney Francis Carragher, (Step-father Milton M Cranston), Mother: Amy Carragher Cranston, of 100 Elmgrove Ave, Providence, RI

    Five sisters, one brother

    Ed. Rhode Island State College (BSc, 1936). President of the 'Phi Delta' student dramatic association:

     with thanks to George Cogswell

     

     

    prev. Flying Instructor at Glendale Airport; 2nd Lieut. US Air Corps 1938-40

    prev. exp. 645 hrs on Stearman PT15, Yale, Pursuit P.12, Harvard, B.18, A.17, O.46, BT.14, P.12

    Address in 1940: 2920 Ocean Drive, Manhattan Reach, CA

    "Mr. Carragher appears to be a man of considerable experience, consequently his handling of twin engine equipment is good" - Flight Test Report in Toronto, Oct 1940


    Postings: Ringway

    curtiss hawk

    d. 1 Feb 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - while performing unauthorised aerobatics at Ringway airport in Mohawk AR664 - engine failure led to a stall and spin into the ground.

    "On February 1st at about 5 p.m. I saw the Mohawk AR664 which Carragher was flying dive down to about 500 ft. and then climb vertical to about 1000 ft. then turn on its back. Just as the machine was almost flat on its back the engine ceased to fire, the machine fell off the loop, came out of the dive right side up and commenced to glide towards the aerodrome, the machine looked to travel about a mile in a glide then did one turn and a half of a spin and went down behind the trees. The flaps and wheels were not lowered." - Joseph Shoesmith, fellow ATA pilot, who was also ferrying a Mohawk from Squires Gate and had landed first.

    buried Central Cemetery, Manchester; "His Worship the Mayor of Altrincham, who knew the deceased personally during his posting at Ringway and held a very high opinion of him, attended the funeral."

    Some of the cheques written by Francis, found in his personnel file

     

    He was the first American pilot to lose his life in ATA service.

     "My own impression, borne out by reports from all quarters, indicated that whereas we may have a number of other pilots as good, and some possibly better than the late Francis Dean Carragher, there was no one of any nationality in this organisation of higher principles and greater all round merit." - F D 'Brad' Bradbrooke, ATA Chief Ferry Officer at the time, who died in ATA Service 6 months later

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cathey, James Mitchell

     M.545 First Officer  James Mitchell Cathey 

     flag usa

    b. 7 May 1915, Asheville NC  20 Apr 1941 to Apr-43 

    Had a twin sister, Martha

    High School in Washington DC

    prev. Service Dept, Piper Aircraft Corp.

    Address in 1940: 131E Main St., Lock Haven, PA


    Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP

    "A good pilot. Demeanour - lacking in enthusiasm."

    He was due to return to the US in May 1942 (with fellow American pilots Jack Groover Durham (M.332), Bruce Elmer Raymond, H Stirling, Gerald Gilbert Yerdon, W Walters and Ernest Carl Ewing (M.470), but his contract was renewed at the last moment.

    Reduced in rank to 2nd Officer for 1 month from 31 Jan 43 after showing 'very bad airmanship' when flying a Typhoon; he misjudged his approach, undershot the landing and struck a gun post.


    Captain in USAAF until 1947, then with the Curry School of Aeronautics

    m. Ethel Brown of the Army Nurses Corps, 22 Sep 1948

    d.  11 Nov 1984

    Burial: Culpeper National Cemetery


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  • Chaffin, Emmett Kenneth

     M.568 Acting First Officer  Emmett 'Kenneth' Chaffin 
     flag usa   b. 24 Nov 1921 **, Forth Worth TX 24 Feb 1941 to Feb-42 

     

    ata kenneth chaffin

    Fort Myers News-Press Apr 41

         

     

    ** On his registration forms, Kenneth gave his date of birth as 2 Feb 1920 - thus making him 21. However, he admitted that he was only 20 when he returned to the US in 1942. Obviously, he had lied about his age in order to join the ATA!

    prev. Gulf Airways, Fort Myers, Florida (newspaper delivery by plane) 2 yrs.

    He was a member of the Fort Myers high school boxing team!

    Address in 1941: Beach Rd, Fort Myers, Florida


     Arrived in the UK 22 Apr 1941 on the SS Mercier with fellow American ferry pilots James Emor O'Halloran, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), Gilman Benedict Warne, Marvin Harrison Dunlavy (M.408), Harold Lindsey Price.

    Off sick for all of May 1941 with acute appendicitis.

    kenneth chaffin and ruth

    m. 29 Sep 41 to Ruth Alice Maud Morgan, from Abergevenny, in London (divorced 1946);

    Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531)


    Later, 2 years in the US Army Air Force as a Flight Officer - he force-landed in a pea patch near Brownsville, Texas in Aug 1944.

    m. Martha Blackburn in 1947

    In 1947, a pilot for C Adrianza, Venezuela; from 1949, a pilot for Delta Airlines.

    His father (also Emmett Kenneth) owned a grocery store, once had a pilot's licence, filed a patent for aircraft carburettors, became mayor of Medley, Florida in the mid-60s, and finally committed suicide by shooting himself in the head (having tried to shoot his second wife in the head just beforehand, but only grazing her temple).

    Kenneth became a police lieutenant in Medley.

    d. 11 Mar 1992 - Deland, Florida


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Chapin, Emily (W.96)

     W.96  2nd Officer Emily Chapin 
     flag usa   b. 22 Nov 1912, Twin Falls ID  12 Aug-42 to 11 Feb-44 

     ata emily chapin WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

         

     

     

    Father: Charles Hall Chapin, Advertising Manager for the White Rock Mineral Co. in NYC (d. 1960)

    Ed. Wellesley College, MA

    Next of kin: (mother) Mrs Dorothy [Traill]

    prev: File Supervisor for Standard Oil Co of New Jersey

     prev. exp. 203 hrs

    Address in 1942: 291 Rye Beach Ave, Rye, NY


    Postings: 15FPP

    She was reprimanded in April 1943 for "careless taxying resulting in accident, when the propeller of her Master II struck a marking flag.

    2 other accidents, one her fault:

    - 27 Jul 1943, forced landing in a Spitfire, which was damaged, "due to an error of judgement on the part of the pilot" (the hood blew off in flight. Presumably she was held to blame because she had failed to secure it properly);

    - 16 Nov 1943, she made a forced landing in a Swordfish which developed high oil pressure and temperature.

    ata emily chapin roberta sandoz 1943

    (2nd L) with Bobby Sandoz and 'a couple of fellow Yanks' at the Red Cross Club, 1943

    She flew 18 types of aircraft (Class 1 and 2) with the ATA.

    "A keen and hardworking pilot whose confidence appeaqrs to have been shaken by her recent (Jul-43) accident. Discipline good."


    Later a WASP, then an engineer for General Precision Laboratories and the Singer Corporation.

      

    d. 23 Jul 1978 - Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, New York

    ata emily chapin grave

    Her wartime correspondence is in the Texas Woman's University Collection:

    https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p214coll2/id/3052/rec/1

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Chase, Alexander Hartman

     M.306 Flight Captain  Alexander Hartman Chase 

    flag usa

      b. 10 Nov 1908, Faribault, MN 4 Sep 1940 to Sep-45 

           

     

    Postings: 3FPP, 4FPP, 4bFPP

    He "cemented his union with this country by choosing a British wife and, being of a very modest and unobtrusive nature, arranged a Registry Office wedding without mentioning the matter to any of his friends.

    As was to be expected, every pilot at his home station, Prestwick, was soon aware of the day, the place and the time, and, when the unfortunate couple left the Registrar they were met by a solid block of 40 pilots. After being carried out and suitably feted at a nearby hotel, the bridegroom was finally escorted from the scene in a wheelbarrow." BG

    "An excellent officer in all respects."


    d. June 1, 2000 in San Luis Obispo, CA

    http://grandcentralairterminal.org


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Chigi, Vincent

     M.669  2nd Officer   Vincent Chigi
     flag usa b. 25 Jan 1915, Union City NJ 10 Jun 1941 to May-42 

     

         

     

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Below minimum height', (although if this refers to his stature, I'm not sure why it took them 11 months to notice). Perhaps it's a reference to his flying]

     


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  • Clark, George Roger

     M.375 Flight Captain   George Roger Clark
    flag usa   b. 29 Apr 1903, Union City, Randolph County, IN 17 Mar 1941 to Apr-43 

     

         

     

    Educated at Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN

    US Air Corps from Feb-25 to Feb-28, then 'actively engaged as pilot and in aviation sales and service work. Engineer."

    Worked for Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. in Philippines for 3 years

    Address in 1940: 5647 Fountain Ave, Hollywood, CA


    Postings: 3FPP

    Aug-41: Fined one week's salary ($50) for lighting a cigarette in a Spitfire

    "A good officer and an excellent pilot."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cochran-Odlum, Jacqueline (W.72)

     W.72  Flight Captain  Jacqueline 'Jackie' Cochran-Odlum
     flag usa   b. 11 May 1906  24 Jan-42 to Jul-42

     mini macr - jackie cochran

         

     

     prev. exp. approx 2,000 hrs ("These hours are reasonably accurate as my logbook was left in America") on "Fleet, Travel Air Trainer, Waco 210 Continental, Northrop Gamma, GB 750hp Cyclon, Beechcraft, Douglas DC-2, Douglas DC-3, Lockheed 12, 14 & Lodestar, and many light type aircraft."

    Jackie started her ATA Class 1 Training on 31 Mar 1942 and completed it on 1 Jun 1942, having flown Magister (8hrs 20min), Wicko (3hrs 55min), and Fairchild (8hrs 05min).

    d. 1980

    Well-known, and well-documented elsewhere:

    e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cole, Claude Porter

     M.---   Claude Porter Cole 

    flag usa

     b. 16 Oct 1903, Cumberland, Westchester Co., MS  28 Oct 1940 to Oct-41

           

     

    " A good hard-working and reliable pilot"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Conner, Clarence Bernard

     M.593  First Officer  Clarence Bernard Conner

    flag usa

    b. 21 Aug 1908, Charleston WV  2 Jun 1941 to Jun-42 

     

         

    Address in 1941: 1109½ Bigley Ave., Charleston

    Imprisoned for 10 days in 1932 for "Violation of the National Prohibition Act"

    prev. exp. 700 hrs over 11 years


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    Clarence sailed back to Montreal on the 8th June 1942, with his fellow American ATA ferry pilots James 'Whit' Ansley (M.511), Kenneth Fogelberg, Russell Gates, Russell Gibson,John Morrison, Nicholas Pickard,  William Ressegger, Clay Steffee, Stewart Updike, and Keith Williams.


    d. Dec 1974 - Columbus


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  • Cooper, Howard Lee

     M.512  First Officer  Howard Lee Cooper

    flag usa

     b. 12 Apr 1914, Pesotum, IL 

    [Pesotum is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, named after

    an Indian warrior in the Battle of Fort Dearborn.]

    9 May 1941 to 21 Dec 1942 

     

         

     

    Father Ira Monto Cooper; mother Anna [Knapp] b. 1880 d. 1984

    m. Jul 1938 Kathryn Louise [Tudor]; 3 children

    ["Mr and Mrs Cooper took a honeymoon trip by plane, piloted by the former, who owns and operates a private ship."]

    prev. an Airport Manager

    prev. exp. 1369 hrs

    Address in 1941: Tuscola, IL


    Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 16FPP

    Suspended for 7 days with loss of pay in Sep-42 for low flying over Carlisle.

    "A most reliable and willing pilot"; "A good pilot and very keen"

    but

    Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons


    "Mr and Mrs Cooper celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open reception. They both farm."

    Briefly, their farm produced oil; however in 1965 the Decatur Herald said that only 2 of the 11 wells in Macon and Christian counties were still operating, and amongst them "Howard L Cooper's Long No. 2 was no longer profitable to operate. The pool in which it was located has been discovered less than 7 years."

    d. 24 May 1989, Evansville IL


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  • Cooper, William Raymond

     M.531  First Officer William Raymond Cooper 

    flag usa

     b. 6 Jun 1914, Prescott, AR  18 May 1941 to Mar-42

     

         

     

    prev. New Orleans Private Police. Service as Private Patrolman;

    National Guard - Army Sergeant

    Ground Instructor Aviator

    prev. exp. 380 hrs


    Postings: 3FPP, 15FPP


    Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain William Cooper

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Cordner, Jay Herald

     M.114 *  Flight Captain Jay Herald Cordner 

    flag usa

     b. 24 Jan 1893, Bethany Nebraska c.8 Sep 1940 to 2 Mar 1944 

     ata jay herald cordner 1936 1936      

     

    Military Service in WWI from 5 Jun 1917 to 19 Feb 1919 and 1924-27

    prev. a copper miner and farmer, then pilot; "he established and then flew an air-mail route from Kansas to Denver in the early 1920s"

     m. 1914 Judith M [Anderson], 2 children

    Address in 1930: District H, Denver, Colorado

    Shelton AG 4 Crusader

    In the mid-30s he was the pilot of the splendid "sub-stratosphere" Shelton AG-4 Crusader, which was expected to "Whiz-z-z to Paris" but the company folded in 1938 under securities fraud investigations before the Crusader could go into production.

    In 1940 they were living with her mother, and his brother-in-law's family in Pasadena, CA

    Sailed back to Montreal on the SS Tilapa on 19 Aug 1941, with fellow-pilot John Marine, on a vist to Pasadena. He said "I am sure the British will win. They have so much spirit and actual courage. Even during the height of a bomb raid, they will put on the tea pot for that 4 o'clock cup of tea."


    d. 2 Mar 1944 of natural causes at Prestwick, S Ayrshire, Scotland

    ata Jay Herald Cordner grave

    Buried Cambridge American Cemetery, England


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cramer, Leonard Wright

     M.177 First Officer  Leonard Wright Cramer 

    flag usa

     b. 2 May 1906, Fulton NY 3 Aug 1940 to Oct-41 

      

    ata leonard cramer 1929 1929

    from http://jeffmichaels.org/?p=252, which has a full biography

         

     

    Father: Frank I Cramer

    Ed.: 4 yrs High School, 1 yr Cornell University

    m. 1929 Vida Pearl [Hewes, divorced, later Dolamore]

    prev. a Commercial Pilot. Manager of Oneida Airport.

    He had to swim a mile and a half after his seaplane crashed following engine failure and then an engine fire, at Onodaga Lake, Syracuse , N.Y. in Jun 1930.

    Address in 1940: Baldwinsville, NY


    Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP

    He was commended for his forced landing after an engine failure in a Short Scion on 8 Dec 1940, but blamed for another forced landing in a Fairey Battle when he continued a flight in failing light and bad weather on 5 Jan 1941.

    Seconded to Atfero 20 Mar 1941

    Contract Terminated 31 Oct 1941


    d. 8 Jan 1945 - Port of Spain, Trinidad, in Martin M-130 'China Clipper' of Pan American Airways.which crashed while landing in darkness. 10 of the 13 crew, and 13 of 17 passengers died in the accident.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Crane, Allen Albert

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Allen Albert Crane 

    flag usa

     b. 1 Jul 1905, Redding, CA  7 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata allen crane 1940 1940      

     

    m. 1938 Clara [Gregory]

    prev. a Commercial Pilot; "he has been flying for the last 10 years as a hobby", then an Instructor in the civil aeronautics authority student programfor the last six months.

    Address in 1940: 869 N Idaho St, San Mateo CA

    ATA Contract Terminated 12 Sep 1940 - Inefficiency

    d. 2 May 1994 - San Diego CA

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Crawford, Milford Kenneth

     M.392 2nd Officer  Milford Kenneth Crawford 
     flag usa  b. 11 Nov 1910, Kalamazoo, Michigan  20 Mar to 31 Jul 1941

       ATA

         

     

    Father: Jollie George Crawford, a Credit Manager for Peoples Outfitting Co; Mother: Marie A [Ramstain]

    Ed. Southwestern High School, Detroit; Detroit College of Law

     m. 8 Aug 1936 in Detroit, Genevieve 'Grace' R [Magalikski] (d. 2002)

    prev. Sewing Machine Dept of Sears Roebuck, Detroit

    prev. exp. 525 hrs

      Draft card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1941: 10200 Lakepointe Ave, Detroit, Michigan


     Postings: 6FPP

     1 accident, his fault:

    - 12 Jun 1941, a heavy landing in a Hurricane after an error of judgement

     

    Contract Terminated - "Inefficiency"


     Lieut in US Navy, 19 Jul 1943 to 22 Jun 1947

    Still flying in 1948 - he and his passenger escaped unhurt after he crashed a twin-engined plane at the Municipal Airport, Jackson MI, after "both motors quit as he was circling the field"

     

    d. 29 Sep 1986 - Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan

    Buried at Mount Olivet CemeteryEastwoodKalamazoo CountyMichigan

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Crews, Willie Amos

     M.---  2nd Officer  Wille Amos Crews

    flag usa

    b. 11 Feb 1912, Lawrenceburg, TN  5 May 1941 to 27 Jul 1941 

     ata willie crews ATA

         

     

    Father: Walter Brown Crews, Mother: Annie Mae

    Ed. Kerser High School

    m. 1935 in Arkansas Bertha Christine [Johnson] (an 'FAA licensed Pilot')

    prev. a commercial pilot (Delta, Finkles Bros) flying instructor and crop dusting

    Address in 1941: 1201, W Ash St., Blytheville, Arkansas


    Contract Terminated - Medical Reasons. "This pilot was found to be sufferng from syphilis, which he contracted before he left the USA, and received treatment in this country. This condition was too far developed to permit flying activities."

    "He should never have been enrolled."


    later Capt in US Air Transport Command 1942-1946

    d. 20 Mar 1974 (Age 62) - Los Angeles

     ata willie crews grave


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Crim, Omar William

     M.212  2nd Officer  Omar William Crim

    flag usa

     b. 4 Aug 1904, Bucyrus OH 29 Nov 1940 to 24 May 1941

     

    ata omar crim

    via Alisa Scott

         

     

    Father John Bennett Crim [d. 1932, Charleston WV], mother Mathilda (b. 1878 in Germany, family emigrated to USA in 1881)

    Ed. Public School, Charleston

    prev. Trooper, WV State Police 1929-32; motor mechanic, pilot

    m. 1934 Hazel Gaye [Roberts] [d. 1985]

    Adress in 1940: 1407½ Jackson St, Charleston WV


    Travelled from St. Johns to Liverpool on the SS 'Nova Scotia' with fellow pilots Edmund Jarrett, Kenneth Douglas, Kenneth Seeds, Robert Vinson and Edwin Whittington.

    Postings: 6FPP


    He joined a Mr. Hubert M Covert in setting up 'Flight School Inc.' an air taxi, cargo and ambulance service, at Clark Field nr. St Albans, WV, in Nov 1954.

    Crim Omar W 1978 News pg1

    d. 31 Jul 1987, Charleston WV

    Cumberland Times News - February 9, 1989, Cumberland, Maryland:

    "Scholarship Established At University
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -The West Virginia University Foundation has received nearly $80,000 from the estate of a Charleston aviator to establish a scholarship in his name.
    Omar W. Crim, a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol during World War II, died July 31, 1987, at the age of 82. He was one of the oldest active airplane pilots in West Virginia. Those eligible for assistance from the Omar W. Crim Scholarship Fund are the winners of the Spaatz Award,
    which is presented by the Civil Air Patrol of West Virginia. The highly prestigious award is named in honor of Carl Spaatz, a pioneer in aviation. Any recipient of a $3,000 per year Omar W. Crim Scholarship must attend WVU.

    Crim began flying in the late 1920s and made his first solo flight in 1933. After World War II, he returned to Charleston where he operated
    Clark Field for several years. Later, he flew charters and gave flight instruction as a pilot at Kanawha Airport (now Yeager Airport).

    Crim worked as a pilot from 1972-74 for Eagle Coal & Dock Co., Aviation Division. He then served as safety director. With his wife Hazel, now
    deceased, Crim operated a weekend sightseeing service offering flights over the Kanawha Valley.

    Under the terms of the fund, half of the yearly scholarship amount will be paid at the beginning of the academic year. The remainder will be paid at the beginning of the second semester providing the recipient maintained a 2.5 grade point average during the preceding term. The WVU Foundation is a private corporation which serves as the fund raising arm of the  University. The Foundation also is the administrative organization for those funds."

    Thanks to Alisa Scott for her research


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cummings, William Franklin

     M.309 First Officer  William Franklin Cummings 

    flag usa

     b. 22 Oct 1904, Lela, GA 19 Sep 1940 to Jun-41 

           

     

    Address in 1940: Donalsonville, Georgia


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Roger Inman, Howard Mussey, Edward Vencill, Martin Wetzel and Constant Wilson.

    Contract Terminated by ATA 27 Jun 1941 - Disciplinary Reasons


    He  took over the guardianship of his neice, Sidney Ethel Cummings, after the death of his brother Peter Sidney Cummings and his wife, and gave her away at her wedding in 1955.

    d. 3 Sep 1991 - Brinson, Decatur GA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Daniel, Al Fred

     M.564 Acting First Officer  Al Fred Daniel 

    flag usa

     b. 7 Sep 1920, Jackson, Mississippi 12 May 1941 to 11 May 1942 

     

    ata al fred daniel

    1942

     

    ata al fred daniel 1964

    1964 (both Jackson Clarion-Ledger)

       

    Father: Albert Frederick Daniel, mother Lizzie Mary [Bonner]

    daniel studio

    [His father was the owner of the Daniel Photographic Studio from 1907 until his death in 1935, when Lizzie took over.]

    Ed. High School, Jackson, then University of Mississippi

    prev. Mississippi National Guard until Jun-40

    A Commercial Pilot

    Address in 1941: 224 E. Amite St, Jackson, MS

    ata al fred daniel c1944

    After the ATA, Al joined the US Navy as a trainee Naval Officer, taking part in bombing raids against Japanese islands in 1944, and eventually becoming a Colonel.

    m. Feb 1943 Dinah [Brown] of Lauderdale; 2 daughters [Sandra Lynn and Dianne Brown Daniel].

    He returned to Jackson and took over his father's photographic studio; he was elected 2nd Vice President of the Professional Photographers of Mississippi in 1947.

    In 1964, Col. Daniel was described as "a manufacturer's agent", and lived at 4236 Oakridge, Jackson. 

    dianne brown daniel 1973

    His daughter Dianne Brown Daniel married in 1973. 

    He donated his collection of photographs of Jackson to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History: "After taking a break from photography to be film manager for Jackson television station WLBT (1953-1959), Secretary-Treasurer for Wilson-Geyer Co., Inc. (1960-1963), and a manufacturer's agent (1964-1966), Al Fred Daniel acquired Standard Photo ("the photographic store of Jackson since 1926," according to the Jackson city directory) and served as its president from 1967 to 1987. His wife, Madge Rosalyn "Dinah" Brown Daniel, also worked at Standard Photo from 1970 to 1987. Al Fred Daniel died December 13, 1996, and was survived by Dinah until November 14, 2004."

    You can see his photos at http://www.mdah.ms.gov/arrec/digital_archives/series/daniel


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  • Davis, John Cleveland

     M.416 First Officer  John Cleveland Davis 
    flag usa   b. 9 Jan 1920, E. Setauket, Long Island, NY  18 Mar 1941 to 6 Mar 1942

     

         

     

    prev. a flight instructor for the 'Spartan School of Aeronautics', which still exists:

    blackcat13The Spartan College Black Cat with the 13 signifies that “Knowledge and Skill Overcome Superstition and Luck”.

    http://www.spartan.edu


    Postings: include 8FPP

     


    d. 11 Mar 1993, Topanga, Los Angeles, California


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • de Greeuw, Berno Geoffrey

     M.----  Cadet  Berno Geoffrey de Greeuw
       b. 2 May 1912, New York NY  25 Oct 1943 to 6 Apr 1944 

     

         

     

    Father: William Johanns (Dutch)

    Ed. Surrey House Prep. School, Maidenhead College

    Address in 1943: Grandleigh Hotel, Inverness Terrace Bayswater London W2

    Next of kin: (Mother): Mrs Amy de Greeuw, 68 Welldon Crescent, Harrow Middx

    prev. LAC in RCAF 16 Oct 1940 - 26 Aug 1941; Canadian Firefighters Aug-42 to Sep-43

    prev. a Parachutist

    m. Helen Grace [Lackey] (divorced 1944) wife resident in Toronto


    Sailed to Liverpool from Canada on 17 Nov 1943


     m. 1949 Eileen H [Jarvis] in London (divorced 1960)

    Moved to Boca Raton FL in May 1949

    m. 1969 Joan [Kennewick] in Bay Head Ocean, NJ

    m. 1988 Joan Beverley [Hutton] in Okeecobee, FL (divorced 1997)

    d. 12 Jan 2000 - New York 

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Deems, William Francis

     M.620 First Officer  William Francis Deems 
     flag usa  b. 1 May 1916, Easton, Maine  7 Jul 1941 to 6 Jul 1942  

     ata william deems ATA

         

     

    Original surname Stevens; Deems by adoption

    Father Dr. Oren Manfred Deems [An Ear Nose and Throat specialist, living at 20 Maple St., Springfield, Mass.] Mother Winifred [Purdy], deceased

    Ed. at Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn. and University of Pennsylvania, PA

    m. 1939 Mary Lou or Marjory L [Ameluxen, b. 1919, later Marsh], 1 son Oren Louis b. 1939

    prev. a Flying Instructor for Barnes Air Services, Westfield, Mass.

    Address in 1941: 122 Pleasantview Ave., Longmeadow, Mass.


    Postings: 1FPP, 3FPPP, 16FPP

    Suspended for 14 days in Mar-42 for Neglect of Duty prejudicial to the interests of ATA - "flying F/O Anderson... which was 130 off course" [Not sure what happened, or if this was Opal or Homer Anderson].

    Off sick from 16 May to 5 Jun 1942 with acute tonsillitis;

    Either "A fair pilot but a bad officer" (Stan Ogden, OC 3FPP) or "has worked hard and given every satisfaction whilst on my strength" (OC 16FPP)

     Sailed from Cardiff to New York on the 28 Jul 1942 with fellow ATA pilot Ralph Jacobson.


    Married Edith [Richardson] in 1975 but they are listed as defaulters on a mortgage in Burlington, Vermont in 1977, and they then divorced.

     d. 18 Nov 2008, Manatee, FL 

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Douglas, Kenneth Richard

     M.217 First Officer  Kenneth Richard Douglas 

    flag usa

      b. 15 Feb 1904, Latrobe WV 25 Nov 1940 to Nov-41 

           

     

    son of John Lawrence and Elizabeth Douglas; m. to Viola May

    Address in 1940: 410½ Fayette St, Charleston, WV

    prev. 1 yr Air Force Mechanic, 5 yrs C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps) Transportation pilot


    Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP

    "A keen and competent pilot... rather reluctant in taking conversion course when offered but I think this was due to several minor illnesses. Discipline v. good."


    d. 21 Feb 1968 - Flushing, Belmont County, Ohio


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Drumm, Austin Marcus

     M.414  First Officer Austin Marcus Drumm 
    flag usa   b. 14 Jan 1915, Union City, Michigan 17 Mar 1941 to 9 Dec 1941 

     

         

     

    father Earl Drumm (dec'd), Mary Eta Parkman

    m. 1939 to Benita 'Bonnie' Vieve [McCarthy] [d. 2 Jun 2008]

    prev. exp. 5yrs as a flight instructor in Virgina Air Service, Gordonsville

    Address in 1941: 503 Carleton Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia


    Postings: 6FPP

    "A good pilot who has done all work allocated to him in a satisfactory manner", but:

    Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons


    Later a pilot in the US Army Air Transport Command, and then a Colonel in the USAAF.

    In 1944, he and his crew bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. One of the pilots sent to look for him was James Ansley (M.511), who had travelled to the UK with him in 1941.

    In 1946, Drumm "picked up a copy of the Southeastern Airport News and read that Ansley was running Page Field for Lee County. After an exchange of telegrams he flew over to Page Field in his PT-17 for a happy reunion with his old flying partner."

    After WWII, the family lived in Utah and North Carolina while Austin completed his education, then moved to Lexington, Virginia, where from 1963 he was Professor of history at Virginia Military Institute.

    d. 8 Jan, 1997 - Barboursville, Virginia

    buried Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Dunlavy, Marvin Harrison

     M.408 First Officer   Marvin Harrison 'Alabam' Dunlavy Jr
     flag usa   b. 14 Oct 1916, New Orleans 27 Feb 1941 to 10 Apr 1945 

     ata marvin dunlavy

     ata marvin dunlavy 2 ATA    

     

    Marvin was one of a team of 6 pilots, in 3 aeroplanes, who made an attempt on the world endurance flight record (which stood at 22.5 hrs), in Sarasota, Florida in April 1940. However, he had to land after just over 6 hrs in the air, as they were getting low on fuel and efforts to refuel them in the air had failed.

    Address in 1941: 1913 3rd Ave, Bessemer, Alabama.


    Brief Glory says he had "black curly hair, rolling eyes, a broken nose and an accent you could cut with a knife. A disconcerting habit he had of rolling his head from side to side was due to an early boxing accident."

    When asked about his opinion of England, he said "Gee, that's a terrible country! I can't think why they don't cut all their balloon cables and let the god-damn country sink to the bottom of the sea."

    He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flt Lt R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944.

    The full list of those commended was:

    - pilots David Cotter (M.439), Reginald Davidson (M.918), Marvin Dunlavy (M.408), Alan Murray (M.1053);

    - Fire Officer D Baldwin, 

    - Senior Flight Engineer Kenneth Payne, Engineer Second Officer Albert Gardner, Engineer Third Officer John Gulson, Engineer Second Officer Francis Lees, Engineer Third Officer Donald Soutter,  and

    - Mr J.J. Thompson.


    d. 17 Oct 2003, California.

    The East Bay Times, Oct. 26, 2003: "When he returned from the war, M.H. opened Bessemer's first Airport, teaching and sharing his love of flying with many local residents. He was married for forty-five years to the love of his life, Carolyn Masingil and had two daughters, Marilyn and Anne. He went on to become a Captain with Capitol Airways. He later owned a boat rental and resort at Lakeport, California, continuing to fly and maintaining his flight instructors license into his seventies.

    He was fortunate enough to return to Bessemer and Clarksville, Tennessee to visit family and friends for his eighty-seventh birthday. Graveside service was held at Cedar Hills Cemetery in Bessemer on Monday, October 20th at 11 AM.

    M.H. is survived by his daughters, Marilyn Dunlavy (Todd) Plum of Martinez, California, Anne Dunlavy of Napa, California, brother, Louis "Eddie" Dunlavy of Bessemer, granddaughter Elizabeth (Lisa) Karen Dunlavy and great-grandson Phillip Harrison Wierson, both of Bogart, Georgia."

    His son Marvin Harrison Dunlavy III, (by his first wife Jane Bell Crosby), was killed in 1969 when the truck he was driving went off the road nr Yanceyville, N.C.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Durham, Jack Groover

     M.332  First Officer Jack Groover Durham 
    flag usa   b. 2 Nov 1919, Fort Payne AL 1 Feb 1941 to May-42 

     ata jack durham ATA

         

     

    Educated at Birmingham High School

    prev. a pilot, instructor and crop dusting with Dawn Crop Dusting Corp., Leland, Miss.

    Address in 1941 (grandparents): 5326 Court P, Birmingham, Alabama

    'My family is Democratic'


    "This pilot has developed into a very fine influence in the Pool by reason of his keenness and good sense of discipline. He is also a first class pilot."


    d. 19 Apr 1943 when a Captain with RAF Transport Command, in Baltimore FA330 which was lost en-route Dorval, Quebec to Natal, Brazil (or possibly en-route from Natal to the Middle East). Also killed were F/O John Dickson Grant (RCAF) and Radio Operator Harold Alfred Picher.

    No known grave. Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Edgar, William Silver

     

     M.272 First Officer  William Silver Edgar 
     flag usa b. 7 Oct 1906, Waco TX  2 Jan 1941 to 2 Apr 1942 

     ata william edgar ATA

      from "Fighting Men of Texas" (1948)    

     

    'Silver' came from his mother Estelle's maiden name

    Educated at Baylor University, Waco

    2nd Lieut., Army Air Corps 1932-35, stationed at Ft Crockett, Galveston, TX

    Awarded his 'wings' at Kelly Field, Texas in 1933

    Author of "Wings across the World", a syndicated newspaper column

    Also a pilot, rancher, and with some 'banking experience'

    prev. exp: about 900hrs

    Address in 1941: 1305 Jefferson Ave, Waco, Texas


    Postings: 4FPP

    His initial ATA test described him as "a rather nervous type, but general flying fair."

     ata william edgar id card

    "An excellent officer. A keen and reliable pilot."

    He had a nasty forced landing on the 2 Mar 1942, in Airspeed Oxford L4597 following an engine failure. "He crash-landed on the ice of Loch Laidon but returned to the burning aircraft and saved the Log Books and his kit. The ice broke under him before he reached the shore and he was completely immersed. He then walked nine miles before he found a barn for shelter."

    [During 1978 the two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines from L4597 were recovered by the Scotland West Aircraft Investigation Group using a raft. Subsequently the engines were restored by staff at Rolls Royce’s Hillington site. At least one of them was subsequently put on display at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.]

    He put in a request for a replacement cap, but before this could be actioned died in another accident:

     Spitfire VB 92 Sqn top view c1941

    d. 2 Apr 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire BM358 crashed at Chapel of Garioch, 20 miles NW of Dyce, (or possibly at nearby Boghead, about 4 miles southwest of Inverurie) on a flight from Castle Bromwich to Kinloss.

    The very next day, a telegram arrived from home:

    "DEAR SILVER LOVE YOU DEARLY WISH HERE EASTER PICTURES RECEIVED NO BON CHOCOLATES SOON - MOTHER DAD"

    Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, and commemorated at Baylor University: "William Silver Edgar lights up Fountain Mall every day and Robert Warren illuminates the courtyard by the Carroll Science Hall. These two men, along with 123 other Baylor men and women, made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Now they stand as the honor guard at Baylor in the form of red granite light posts."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Edison, James Arlington

    M.153 *

    First Officer James Arlington 'Eddie' Edison 

    flag usa

     b. 29 Aug 1898, Kansas   

    13 Aug 1940 to 23 Sep 1941


     ata james edison 1943 1943      

    "He has been flying since he was 18".

    prev a a stunt-man and crop-duster. 

    1933-4 instructor to 60 Chinese pilots of the army of General Chang Kai-shek

     m. to Mary E (d. 1986)


    [arrived in Manchester 5 Sep 1940]

    [Transferred to AtFero, probably in Mar 1941]

    "His name was scratched from the crew list for a ferry flight to Montreal, so that he could return to London to renew his papers.The bomber flew into the side of a mountain, and all 22 of the crew were killed and the ship completely destroyed." [This was Liberator AM261, on the 10th August 1941. See also F D Bradbrooke (joined 1939) and George Thomas Harris]

    "Lt. Edison helped to bury this group of fellow fliers, immediately after which he received an assignment to leave for another trip. On this day, one hour before take-off, and while en route to the airdrome, there was an air raid and while the taxi in which he was riding was waiting, there was an automobile accident that resulted in two broken ribs for the lieutenant, sending him to the hospital instead.

    Before getting away, however, he saw the ship in which he was supposed to leave run off the runway, catch fire and all 22 of the fine American pilots which made up the crew were burned to death.  [This was Liberator AM260, on the 14th August 1941. To be precise, 12 pilots [9 of them American], 8 radio operators, 1 flight engineer and 1 civilian were killed. See also Elbert Anding, Philip Lee, Buster Trimble and Martin Wetzel,]

    He says he made his next journey with fingers crossed - but safely."


    Later joined the US Navy and was Chief Aviation Pilot at Stanford Naval Air Station, FL, in 1943.

    d. 28 Apr 1945 in PV-3 (ex-RAF Lockheed Ventura) which crashed after hitting trees shortly after take-off from NAS Lake City, FL.

     

  • Elliott, William Johnston

     M.343  First Officer William Johnston 'Bill' Elliott 
     flag usa  b. 18 Apr 1917, Chambersburg Pennsylvania 17 Feb 1941 to Feb-42 

     ata william elliott

         

     

    prev. a flight instructor, charter and barnstorming pilot

    prev exp. 786 hrs, mostly on Lockheed 10a

    Bill worked for the Stanley Company as a shipping clerk from 1935 to '36, then was a general electrical contractor ('house and motor wiring - small repairs') until he became a flight instructor at his local airport (Sunset Airport, Chambersburg PA)


    ata william elliott ID Card

    He had a one-year contract with the ATA, which they wanted to extend - his CO wrote: "First Officers Fitzgerald, Elliott and Hoover. All three excellent pilots and are some of the best types of Americans that I have seen over here. I think everything possible should be done to get these pilots to renew their contracts."

    Bill replied that he had decided to return to the US "after February 16th [1942] as soon as the details of my transportation can be arranged", but sadly before this happened he died in an accident.

     

    d. 8 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Anson W1793 crashed into the side of a hill in bad visibility 3 miles N of Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. The accident committee concluded that he flew into snow-covered ground "in conditions which would cause confusion between ground and cloud".

    He and Earl Renicker (q.v.) were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery, Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon (q.v.)

     ata william elliott funeral 1  ata william elliott funeral 2

     

    "Senior officers were present, with American members of the ATA. RAF men bore the two coffins, which were covered with flags, the Stars and Stripes of America. Air Transport Auxiliary pilots followed the coffin. An RAF Chaplain officiated, and the vicar of Timperley, the Rev. Dr Lindare, assisted." - Manchester Evening News, via George Cogswell

      via George Cogswell

     

    He was "an exceptionally careful and steady pilot and his general behaviour was excellent."

    His parents Gernard and Louise wrote "He studied hard and to be a good pilot was his whole ambition. Sorry as we are that he had to give his life so soon in this his chosen occupation, we are proud that he was a member of your organisation."

    ATA Memorial Bill Elliott 

    with thanks to Barbara Grayson


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Erickson, John Burge

     M.469 First Officer   John Burge Erickson

    flag usa

      b. 26 Jul 1906, Oklahoma City, OK  9 Jun 1941 to May-42

     ata john erickson ATA

         

     

    prev. an airplane mechanic from 1935, and a Flight Instructor at Oklahoma Air College

    prev. exp. 3,500hrs

    Address in 1941: 220 S Lake St, Ponca City, OK

    m. to Dorothy Louise [Young], 1 child


    Postings: AFTS, as Instructor

    "A natural pilot" - ATA's Chief Instructor T.G.L. Gale said: "It was because I had the highest opinion of his character that I selected him for instructional duties... his work has been excellent and highly successful and has deservedly earned him the praise of his superiors and the gratitude of his pupils."


    blenheim hendon

    d. 9 May 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Blenheim I K7086. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft's tail was broken in a collision with another Blenheim (L8439, piloted by First Officer Richard S Pavey (M.445)) which had also just taken off, and it dived into the ground and caught fire.

    Trainee Pilot Thomas Walton, a director of Burnley Aircraft Products Ltd, was also killed. F/O Pavey survived with a fractured shoulder, spinal injuries, shock and burns.

     ata john erickson funeral     

    Buried at Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 21.

     

    His brother Glenn had sent him this photo of himself, wife Ruby and their child outside their house in California in April 1942:

    glenn erickson and family 1942


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  • Estes, Willard Noel

     

     M.322  First Officer Willard Noel Estes 
     flag usa   b. 15 Jan 1911, Monett, Missouri 15 Jan to 26 Jun 1941 

     ata willard estes  ATA

       c.1932    

     

    Father, Willard Albert Estes, of 11077 De Foe St, Pacoima, CA

    Ed. Will Mayfield College, Marble Hill, Missouri 

    prev. Flying Instructor, US Army 1930-34 (Fort Francis, Laramie, Wyoming in 1930, a football player for the Army)

    prev. exp. 1,050 hrs during 12 years civilian flying

      Draft card, 16 Oct 1940

    Adress in 1941: 154 West 170th St, Hazel Crest, Illinois


    Postings: 1FPP

      

    Spitfire VB 92 Sqn top view c1941

    d. 26 June 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - overshot while landing at Biggin Hill in Spitfire Vb P8538, tried to take off but hit top storey of airmen's barrack block.

    "He has done a fine job for us and his loss will be greatly felt"

     

    Buried St Mary Cray Cemetery, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London, England


    Postscript:


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ewing, Ernest Carl

     M.470  First Officer  Ernest Carl Ewing 

    flag usa

    b. 15 Jan 1914, Savannah in Chatham, GA 3 May 1941 to 2 May 1942 

     

         

     Address in 1941: (mother) 607 15th Ave E, Cordele, GA

    Ed. Georgia Military College

    prev. A Banker; Flight Instructor; US Army Sep-28 to Aug-40, 2nd Lieut.

    'Flying since 1928'


    Postings: 3FPP

    Either "a good and capable pilot", or "This pilot gossips and grumbles too much about things of which he knows nothing; a troublemaker."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Fairbrother, Manley William

     M.604  First Officer  Manley William 'Lee' Fairbrother
     flag usa  b. 23 Aug 1911, Grand Rapids, MI 10 Jun 1941 to 10 Jun 1942 

     ata manley fairbrother ATA

         

     

     father Leo James Fairbrother, a building contractor, mother Anna [Kennedy]

    ed. Martin School, Grand Rapids

    m. [1] 1931 Dortha Ann [Johnson], 1 child; [2]  c.1947 Anna May [Gillis]; [3] 1981 Grace L [Laterza]

    prev. 1927-30 Corporal in Michigan National Guard, 1931-36 Fireman 2nd Class in US Naval Reserve.

    A 'pilot parachute jumper'

    prev. exp. 550hrs certified, 600hrs uncertified in (his own aircraft) J.5 Travelair NC89M, Avian Sport

    Address in 1941: R.R. 3, Grand Rapids, MI


    Postings: 2FPP

    "A good pilot, keen and conscientious"

    Off for a month after an accident in a Hurricane on 6 Dec 1941 - following partial engine failure, he overshot his selected field for a forced landing and hit a tree.

    He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg.


    He came 4th in the 1947 Thompson Trophy at the Cleveland Air Races [the race was won by Steve Beville, another former ATA pilot]. He thereby won $500 -  he bought the  P-51 for $5,500.

    Battle Creek Enquirer, Oct 1948: "FINED FOR 'BUZZING' Manley W. Fairbrother, of Minneapolis, a prominent racing pilot, paid a fine of $100 and costs in municipal court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to 'buzzing' near the home of his parents in Grand Rapids while returning from the Cleveland Air Races September 12."  [He qualified in 9th position for the 1948 Thompson Trophy, flying at 351.593 mph in his 'stripped-down P-51', but after 12 laps his engine stalled and he had to pull out.]

    d. 28 Jan 1994

    Buried 

    His obituary says: "He came to Florida in 1971 from Star Prairie, Wis. He was an airline pilot for 24 years with Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, and a member of the Retired Airline Pilots Association. Survivors include his wife Grace 'Jo'; two daughters, Nora Bercaw, Naples, Fla, and Patricia Hollowell, Spring Hill."

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Farr, Virginia (W.65)

     W.65  First Officer Virginia 'Ginny' or 'Ginna' Farr 
     flag usa    b. 15 Nov 1918, Groton MA 10 Feb-42 to 5 Jun-45 

     Virginia Farr

     ata virginia farr 1942  ata virginia farr 1942  

     

     Ed. Chatham Hall High School, VA

    prev: Flight Instructor (Bennett Airport, NJ)

    prev. exp. 300 hrs

    She made a five-month tour of Europe with two friends between March and August 1939, and said afterwards that "in travelling through Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Holland [she] noticed that the residents 'scoff' at threats of war, go about their business as usual and believe themselves in no imminent danger."

     Address in 1942: 572 Prospect Ave, West Orange, NJ (grandmother's house)

     She met Eleanor Roosevelt in October 1942, who complimented her on her "trim appearance."

    Off sick from 7 Oct to 3 Nov 1942 with influenza

    Suspended for 1 day in July 1943 for turning and taxying down the runway in use.

    vivien jeffery 1939 Vivien Jeffery in 1939

    In 1979. "Virginia and her English friend and partner Vivien Jeffery, the [former ATA] Operations Officer, live on a ranch in California and raise cattle, Siberian Huskies and Welsh Corgis."

    d. 1988

    buried  Essex County, NJ

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fisher, Everitt

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Everitt Fisher 

    flag usa

     b. 15 Jan 1899, New Jersey  3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata everitt fisher 1931      

     

    Volunteered in 1916, a year before America entered WWI, to go to France as an ambulance driver and stretcher bearer:

    "He worked his way across the Atlantic, paid all his expenses for uniforms, had trouble wioth the customs officials in France, but finally got to the front lines where he remained until an exploding shell at Verdun caused hime to return to the United States." Tampa Bay Times, 2 Aug 1931

    In 1931, Chief Instructor for the St. Petersburg Aeronautic Association, Florida. 

     

  • Fitzgerald, Jack

     M.298 First Officer   Jack Fitzgerald
     flag usa b. 10 Jul 1915, Bagwell TX  23 Jan 1941 to Jan-42 

     ata jack fitzgerald AR

      ATAM    

     

    Educated at Paris Junior College then Texas Technology College.

    prev. An airline pilot for Braniff, and 18 months at Odena Flying School at Odessa, Dalton, Texas

    prev. exp. 800hrs


    Postings: 6FPP, 15FPP

    Oct-41: "A most capable pilot, who now seems to have settled down and is doing a good job of work."


    In 1971 the Abilene Reporter said, "Jack, the fifth son of the six 'Flying Fitzgeralds', was being honored by American Air lines in Los Angeles for his 25 years with American. Jack like [his brother] Glenn attended Texas Tech and learned to fly at an early age. He was a pilot for American Air lines [sic] by the time he was 20. During the war he served in the airlines military operation for the Air Transport Command in India. He also flew supplies from San Francisco during the Tokyo Airlift.

    Jack lives in Los Altos, Calif., with his wife Betty and four children. Betty is a former airline stewardess. Today he is based in New York, from where he flies 747s."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Fogelberg, Kenneth Walter

     M.556 First Officer  Kenneth Walter Fogelberg 

    flag usa

     b. 25 Nov 1914, Chicago IL  22 May 1941 to 21 May 1942

     

         

     

    Father: Wilfred Fogelberg (Swedish, naturalised American); Mother Ida Olsen

    Had a sister, Ella M Johnson

    Ed. Lake View High School, Chicago (4 yr Diploma)

    m. 1941 Jeslyn Margaretha [Stark, d. 2013]; 3 children post 1941

    Jeslyn Stark in 1940 Jeslyn in 1940

    prev. own laundry business, and aviation charter work.

    prev. exp 740 hrs

    Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL

    [His brother-in-law Elwood Walmsley was in the ATA from Feb-41 to Jan-42; he was married to Jeslyn's sister Laverne.]


    Postings: 1FPP

    Offf sick from 30 Sep to 14 Nov 1941 with 'post trauma debility', after he stalled and undershot a landing in a Hurricane.

    "A keen and hard-working pilot. Flying ability above average."

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.


    From 1956  he ran a store selling "childrens wear, toys, and juvenile furniture" in the Eden's Plaza Shopping Center, Wilmette, Chicago.  

     d. Apr 1967 - Chicago

    buried Mount Olive Cemetery


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  • Forbes, Ian Archibald

     M.664 First Officer  Ian Archibald Forbes 
     flag england +flag usa  b. 29 Nov 1919, Oxted, Surrey 30 Sep 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata ian forbes 1937 1937

     ata ian forbes ATA    

     

    Father: James Grant Forbes II (d. 1955) Mother: Margaret [Winthrop] (both American)

    Margaret was a descendant of John Winthrop, one of the leading figures in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s,

    His mother inherited €100,000 from her aunt Ida Means Mason, who died in 1928 in Boston, Mass., and then €75,000 "and personal effects" from another aunt, Ida's sister Miss Ellen F Mason, who died in 1929 in Newport, RI. The remainder of Ellen's €5,000,000 went into a charitable trust, the money to be distributed within 21 years of the death of the last of Margaret's children. His father James Grant Forbes was named Trustee of a fund of €300,000 (€150,000 each from Ida and Ellen) for his children's education "and comfortable support".

    Ed. Eton, Trinity College Cambridge

    5ft 11in, brown hair

    Address in 1937: Little Plumyard, Seven Hills Rd, Cobham, Surrey

    prev. in 1939 a Student of Music (changed his mind) Economics in Kensington

    He traveled to the USA in June 1939 on the 'Queen Mary' and was listed as an American "by virtue of his father's citizenship."

    Address in 1941: (Mother's address) 43 Swan Court, Manor St, Chelsea, London

     m. Oct 1941 Phoebe V Thomas in Marylebone, Middlesex

     Off sick from 21 Feb to 21 Mar 1943 

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 4 Aug 1944, during the take-off run in a Hudson at White Waltham, the port tyre burst. He "completed the take-off, noticed that the tyre was apparently loose and wobbling, and therefore decided to execute a belly landing."

    Address in 1947: Friary Lodge, Old Windsor, Berks

     His mother Margaret died in 1970 aged 91, at her home in St Briac, France, leaving 11 children (including his sister Rosemary, the mother of John Forbes Kerry (68th US Secretary of State and Democratic Nominee for President, 2004) and Mme Alain Lalonde), 30 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

    John F Kerry visited the Forbes' family estate at Les Essarts, near St-Briac-sur-Mer, on several occasions:

    "In his youth, Kerry joined the family gatherings while his father, a U.S. diplomat, was posted in Europe. Young Kerry also attended a Swiss boarding school and brought a touch of America to this corner of northwestern France.

    "He introduced us to games like capture the flag. We still play something called kick the can," said [John's cousin] Brice Lalonde, who at 58 is two years Kerry's junior.

    Walking along a beach where Kerry and his cousins once played, Lalonde talked about their summers of swimming, cycling and tennis.

    "We would take boats and go to islands and have a picnic. We'd go shrimping and have them cooked up in the kitchen," he said.

    It was in Saint Briac, or nearby, that Kerry's parents met, when his father, Richard Kerry, was traveling in Europe before World War II.

    During the war, the Nazis occupied Les Essarts and then destroyed it when they left. A family reunion was held last summer [2003] to mark the 50th anniversary of the home's reconstruction, but Kerry didn't attend.

    Kerry told The New Yorker magazine that seeing the aftermath of the war in Europe kindled his interest in politics.

    "My very first memory — I was 3 years old — is holding my mother's hand and she was crying... as we walked through the broken glass and rubble of her childhood house in France, which the Germans had used as a headquarters and then bombed and burned as they left," Kerry was quoted as saying." - Fox News, 29 Mar 2004

    Ian Forbes lived at the rebuilt Les Essarts in 2004.

     d. 2015

     


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  • Ford, Suzanne (W.76)

     W.76  First Officer Suzanne 'Sue' Ford 
     flag usa   b. 2 Apr 1915, Morristown NJ  14 Apr-42 to Oct-45

     

    W076 Ford Suzanne 

    ATA

         

     

     

    nee Humphreys

    Father: Landon Humphreys

    Ed. Somerset Hills School, Far Hills NJ, and Westover School, Connecticut

    At Westover, she was a member of the basketball, field hockey, track and high jumping teams and "is an excellent rifle shot. She is an expert horsewoman and has followed the Essex Fox Hounds regularly."

    Learnt to fly in 1931 and entered the National Air Pageant in 1933, and All American Air Races in Jan 1934

    m. 1936 Frederick Ward Ford from Morristown (divorced c.1947)

    ata suzanne humphreys marriage 1936

    "Smiling happily, Mr and Mrs Frederick Ward Ford march down the aisle of the chapel of Somerset Hills School"

    prev. exp. 400 hrs

    Address in 1942: 2 East 8th St, New York

    Travelled to Bristol from Halifax, NS on the SS Tetela with Grace Stevenson, Virginia Garst and Hazel Raines, arriving 11 May 1942.

    m. 1948 Peter Rafael de Florez

    Later headed her family's pharmaceutical business (The Humphreys Medicine Company, founded by her great-grandfather in 1853) in New York.

     ata suzanne de florez 1957

    d. 25 Jul 2001 - Nyack, Rockland, NY

     The company still exists, as Humphreys Pharamacal, headquartered in Connecticut - see https://www.humphreysusa.com/

     


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  • Foreman, Clyde Cecil

     M.482  First Officer Clyde Cecil Foreman 
    flag usa  b. 6 Jul 1911, Nowata OK  6 Apr 1941 to Apr-43 

     

         

     

    Address in 1941: 6340 Community Drive, Houston, TX

    prev. a private in the National Guard 165 Field Artillery, 1927-30, then charter work for the oil business - Air Activities Inc., based in Houston


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    After losing all his things on the SS Nerissa, the ATA bought him a new set, at a total cost of £89 7s 6d. It included a pipe and a watch (Second Hand):

    ata clyde foreman nerissa list (click to enlarge)

    "A good, keen and hardworking pilot who has carried out all his work most satisfactorily."


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  • Fulton, Dale Rigney

     M.574  First Officer Dale Rigney Fulton 

    flag usa

    b. 9 May 1921, Pierson Station, IL  9 May 1941 to 8 May 1942 

     

    ata dale fulton 1941

    Decatur Daily Review, 1941

         

     Father William B. Fulton, a farmer; mother Rosa B [Rigney] [d. 1969]

    prev. "Flying for Pleasure"

    prev. exp. 300hrs


    Postings: 16FPP

    "A good average pilot": "An enthusiastic pilot, steady in temperament."


    ata dale fulton 1946 Decatur Herald, 1 September 1946

    d. 11 Oct 2017, Decatur IL

    His obituary in the Decatur Herald and Review reads: "

    ata dale fulton from obituary

    Dale R Fulton, 96, of Pierson Station, IL passed away at 8:20 a.m. at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.

    At age 17 Dale's parents got him his first airplane which led to a long carreer of flying. He ferried planes from factories to fighter fields in England during the war. In 1942 he signed on with Transcontinental and Western Air, which became TWA.The company had a contract with the government to fly transport planes and they needed pilots. His mother received a draft notice, but he was already serving in the Air Transport Command. In 1946 Dale won the first place trophy at the Soho National Air Races in Cleveland, OH, his average speed was 352 mph.

    Dale went to work as an international pilot for TWA after World War II. While working he flew around the world on a monthly basis for many years. He also served as a test pilot and did engineering for TWA at their Kansas City hub. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Dale was #2 on the seniority list at TWA.

    Dale returned to the family farm full time in 1981 and continued to plant and harvest the crop yearly until retiring in late 2014.. He was on the board of directors at the State Bank of Hammond from 1981 until his passing. Dale was a very generous man who would do anything to help anyone. He loved animals and would feed any stray that came along." 

    http://www.hilligossshraderfh.com/obituary/dale-fulton


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  • Furey, Dorothy Rita (W.71)

     W.71 First Officer   Dorothy Rita Furey
     flag usa   b. 17 Dec 1918, New Orleans, LA 10 Feb-42 to 7 Jun-44 

     ATA Dorothy Furey Bragg RAFM RAFM

    Portrait by Beverley Tosh

     

    via Adam Hewitt

       

     

    Her father was a banana importer who lost everything in the Wall Street crash of 1929.

    Ed. 1yr Lousiana State University

    prev. Flight Instructor

    Address in 1942: 1424 Philip St, New Orleans, LA

    "The southern beauty packed a scarlet ballgown with her flying gear and set off for England where she put both to good use. She met and married a Canadian airman and was widowed - all in quick succession" RAF Museum

    Mrs Bragg - her husband, Pilot Officer Richard Edward Bragg, was killed 13 May 1943 hen his Halifax JB924 was shot down by a nght-fighter near the village of Wijnaldum, North Netherlands, killing 7 of the 8 crew (the 8th became a PoW). Richard and Dorothy had married in Nottinghamshire in June 1942.

    [Actually, it appears that Richard was British, born in Nuthall, Nottinghamshire, and Dorothy met him on the boat from Canada.].(My thanks to Mark Alexander-Holmes for pointing this out.)


    ata Rosemary Rees Dorothy Furey Jackie Sorour 

    Dorothy (centre) with Jackie Sorour and Rosemary Rees with Spitfire IX, August 1942 - with thanks to Adam Hewitt

    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

    5 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 24 Jun 1942, she taxied her Tiger Moth into another aircraft;

    - 11 Sep 1942, she had to land her Hurricane with the undercarriage up after the selector lever stuck;

    - 20 Dec 1942, she hit another stationary aircraft (a Spitfire Vc, being piloted by Mary Wilkins), while taxying, also in a Spitfire;

    - 29 Jan 1943, she discovered her Spitfire's port flap had been damged by "surface water" after landing on a grass airfield (not her fault), and

    - 27 Mar 1943, "Pilot adopted line of take-off which caused her to strike a fence, which was invisible to her from her starting point, but of which she was aware."

    Her instructor Marcus Hale described her as  "a complex character, difficult to assess fairly in writing. She obviously is a capable pilot and at times appears to be really keen, but in everything else but the actual flying from A to B she is completely undisciplined and in some ways sheerly indolent."

    "She proved a difficult pupil as she is inclined to be self willed and showed a bored attitude to the whole affair."

    Later on, "A capable pilot whose discipline whilst on ferrying duties has improved."

    Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Grace Stevenson, John Yingst, Lionel Kay and Mary (Zerbel) Hooper. She then returned as supernumerary co-pilot in  Mitchell FV967, 15-21 Sep 1943.

     Off sick from 29 Dec 1943


    m. 1946 David, Earl Beatty RN, son of Admiral Beatty of WWI Jutland fame, and thus became Countess Beatty. He was  "a good soldier but a poor politician, a man of short temper and a chronic husband", she said later.

    While married to David, Dorothy had a long-standing affair with Anthony Eden, the future Prime Minister of Britain. 

    m. 1954 Abram Hewitt, a millionaire American horse breeder (d. 1987)

    She moved to Lexington, Kentucky, then in 1993 to Paris, Virginia.

     

    m. 1998 in Warren, VA, (aged 80), Kent Miller (aged 58)

      1992

    Her son Adam tells me that she called Kent her "Boy Toy, or as she put it, “My ticket to stay out of a nursing home.”

     

     ata dorothy furey 2000 Times 2000 (The Times)

    d. 9 Nov 2006 - Winchester, VA

    Her son Adam told me: "It’s interesting to read the comments of her supervisor, Marcus Hale, which I had never seen before, describing her as a complex and difficult person. She came from a gothically dysfunctional family in New Orleans and I believe she was probably bipolar all her life - undiagnosed - for that goes with what we always saw, she was either slumped in a chair somewhere completely disinterested or a roaring ball of energy, going off on a whim to places like Uzbekistan or Indonesia in her 80s!"

     

     


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  • Gallery, Daniel Vincent

     M.266    Daniel Vincent Gallery Jr
     flag usa   b. 10 Jul 1901, Chicago IL  19 Feb 1941 to 9 Apr 1941

     ata david gallery ATA

         

     

    Father: Daniel; mother Mary [Onahan, d. Jan 1941]

    Ed. US Naval Academy

    m. 1920 Vera [Dunn] (3 children)

    prev. US Navy from 1917 to present

    Address in 1941: 2023 North Danville St, Arlington, VA


    Postings: Training Pool

    "Likely to be only for a few months"

    Wikipedia says "In 1941, while the U.S. was still neutral, he was assigned as the Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Great Britain. While in Britain, he earned his flight pay by ferrying Supermarine Spitfires from the factory to Royal Air Force aerodromes. He liked to claim that he was the only U.S. Navy aviator who flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain [sic - looks like he was a bit late for that], but they were unarmed."

    Flew from Lisbon to New York in Pan Am Clipper NC-18603 on 9 Apr 1941.


    Later a Rear-Admiral; "During World War II, while Captain in command of the U.S.S. Guadalcanal in June 1944, he captured the German submarine U-505 off Cape Blanco, French West Africa. This was the first boarding and capture at sea of an enemy naval vessel since 1815. He also wrote 8 books on US Navy life in the 1940s to 1960s."

    ata david gallery grave findagrave.com

    d. 16 Jan 1977 - Bethesda, MD


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Garlow, Lee Leslie

     M.659 First Officer  Lee Leslie Garlow 
     flag usa  b. 4 Oct 1908, Pittsburg PA  8 Aug 1941 to Dec-41 

     

    ata lee garlow

    ATA

         

     

    Adopted son of Leonard L Garlow, Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Attended Tucson University in 1934-5 and was a member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity.

    Next of kin given as: "Mrs Spencer Kennelly, 677 S Bronson, Los Angeles"

    prev. Arizona and Michigan Flying Schools, then from 1930 a commercial pilot.

    prev. exp. 1419 hrs.


    Posted to 8FPP on 13 December, but got lost on one of his first ferry flights (22 December) and force-landed in Eire. See www.ww2irishaviation.com

    Joseph 'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) described him as a "tall, handsome, curly-headed fellow with a trim black mustache, who, before coming to England, had made several pictures in Hollywood", although this (as is not unusual with Mr Genovese) may be a slight exaggeration; Lee only seems to have appeared as an extra in the 1938 musical, “Start Cheering”.

    'Gen' also says that Lee had "brought the playboy spirit with him from the States, where he had been a rich man's son, a sportsman flier .. but Lee had changed after flying for the ATA for a few months. He was more serious and seemed to take a sincere pride in the work he was doing. He told me once that flying for England was the first real job he had ever had and the first honest responsibility he had ever felt."

    His instructors rated him as a "man of excellent character... a good pilot but overconfident."


     Hudson 4

    d. 26 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hudson III AE489 flew into ground nr Blacklaw Farm, 4 mi N of  Stewarton, Ayrshire, 15mi NE of Prestwick, in thick fog.

    2nd Officer David Marks (q.v.) also killed.

    It appears that Lee had taken the Hudson without proper authorisation, having altered his own paperwork (which was for a Wellington).

    Buried Monkton and Prestwick Cemetery, Prestwick, but later moved to the Cambridge American Cemetery.

    After his death, his friend Mrs Kennelly claimed to have Power of Attorney for Lee's affairs, and asked for all his belongings "including his wings if possible" to be sent to her, but to "keep such clothes of useful [sic] to others in England."

    However, it then emerged that Lee had only been informally adopted by Leonard Garlow and his wife Martha Snyder. Leonard had pre-deceased Lee, but Martha, along with Mrs Kennelly and his natural mother, Elizabeth Squires (formerly Baker) all made a claim to Lee's estate.

    His estate (including the £2,000 insurance money) was sent to the American Consulate and it took until 1946 for them to decide that all three women should be joint beneficiaries.

    With thanks to Dennis Burke for his research

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Garrett, Ruby Dwight

     M.237 *  3rd Officer Ruby Dwight Garrett Jr 

    flag usa

      b. 5 Jan 1916, Kansas City, MO 18 Mar 1941 to 2 Dec 1941 

     ata ruby garrett 1933 1933      

     

    Father: Col. Ruby D Garrett Snr, [a lawyer, Kansas City Councilman and WWI veteran, d. 1968], Mother Alma M

    Ed. University of Kansas City

    m. 24 Dec 1940 Carolyn [Stockwell] in Jackson, MO

    In 1939, "Although he has been swimming one mile a day in a local pool, Ruby D. Garrett Jr., son of a Kansas City councilman, has thirty-one pounds to lose yet before the air corps will accept him as a Randolph Field recruit. In two months, he has lost thirty-seven pounds, and now weighs 211 pounds."

    "'I'll soon be getting down to bone" he said.

    Address in 1940: Flying Cadet Detachment at Randolph Field, TX, then Parks Air College, St. Clair. IL


    Postings: 6FPP


    One accident:

    21 Nov 1941, he overshot his landing on the only (short) runway available; the brakes were inefficient on wet ground, and he hit a barbed wire fence at the end of the runway.


     After ATA, sailed back to the USA on 19 Dec 1941 with fellow ATA pilots W Hanks, F P Skillen, P Lowman, J R Holloway, G C Shreve, S C Neville, G R Heintz, and Franklyn Rule Mershon.

    A pilot for TWA from 1942.

    In 1969, "At the not particularly advanced age of 53, Ruby Garrett tired of seeing the world from 30,000 feet or so — Paris, Rome, London, Hong Kong, Saigon, etc. And so he began hauling things (including boats) at zero altitude, over highways to meet people.

    Ruby is a solidly built, balding, blue-eyed extrovert who has put in 27 years as a pilot with TWA, most recently as a captain on international flights. He presently is on medical leave from TWA and plans to retire next March."

    d. 22 Dec 1990 - Clinton, van Buren, AK

    [... and don't let anybody tell you that Ruby D Garrett was a woman ferry pilot!]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Garrett, Sheila (W.151)

     W.151

    3rd Officer 

    Sheila A Garrett 
     flag usa - flag UK  b. 18 Nov 1916, Marionville, Missouri, USA   3 Apr-44 to Jun-45

     ATA Sheila Garrett  ATA

         

     a.k.a. Sheila Browning

    Father: Albert Alvin Garrett

    Next of Kin: Lt. Mrs. Lee G Morse (sister, aka Lynn Browning); 8500 Holloway Dr, Hollywood, CA

    sheila browning 1935 Far right, representing "Missouri" in 1935

    She appears as an uncredited extra in the 1936 movie "The Great Ziegfield" (This appears to be her only pre-WWII acting job; however, her sister Lynn Browning was signed to Warner Bros. and appeared in 11 movies between 1932 and 1940, until her career was cut short by a car accident).

    m. 28 Jun 1936 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Harry [a.k.a. Henry] Frederick Wilcoxon, an English Actor born in Dominica, BWI, [he was 30, she was 19]

    henry and sheila wilcoxon 1936 1936

    She and Henry travelled together from the UK to the USA in May 1937 on the "Queen Mary", and here they are shortly aftwerwards, "christening the old swimming hole at his Malibu Mountain Ranch [in California, and called 'Seven Oaks']":

    henry and sheila wilcoxon may 1937 The Los Angeles Times

     

    "The former Sheila Garrett, now Mrs Henry Wilcoxon, looked so good to a sheik of the Ageyli tribe that he tried to buy her from the British actor. The sheik offered 10 Pounds British, gold, three she-camels, a quantity of grain, a jewelled dagger, a prayer rug from the palace of the Emir at Mecca, and several hareem girls."

    "Sheila and Harry Wilcoxon tossed an outdoor gala at Sevenoaks Ranch. They hired a blimp to fly over and drop favors with numbered ribbons and raced a flock of pigeons back to town. Guests with ribbon numbers corresponding to the winning pigeons got prizes."

    They were divorced on 1 Jul 1937 - "An interlocutory divorce decree was granted today to Mrs Sheila Wilcoxon, known in films as Sheila Garrett. She testified that Wilcoxon always left her at home when visiting his ranch and was rude to her. Her sister, Lynn Browning, corroborated her evidence."

    So in June 1938 she sailed back from Quebec to the UK, alone, and stayed there until October 1938, returning to the USA once more on the "Queen Mary".

     Next, we find her living in France at the outbreak of WWII, and sailing back to the USA on 19 Sep 1939. In the 1940 US Census she is listed as a "Model - Dresses", renting a house in E 54th St, NYC.

    And somehow, between 1940 and 1944, she managed to learn how to fly, having apparently shown no interest in it before then. Her ATA file says she had been a "flying instructress" and to have served in "War Training Service US Navy".

    She then travelled from New York to Liverpool, arriving on the 10 Mar 1944 to join the ATA.

    Address in Apr 1944: 12-13 Montague St, London WC1


     She was taken on as a pilot cadet, and promoted to 3rd Officer on 12 Aug 1944.


    After the ATA, Sheila travelled back to the USA from Liverpool on 3-16 July 1945.

    m. 3 Mar 1946 George Alfred Moszkowski (b. 1894 in Warsaw) in Habana, Cuba

    "Sheila Garrett was a very close friend of my mother’s. After the war she had a long-term on and off relationship with author Robert Ruark (Something of Value). She used to come and stay with us at our home in Mexico City for long periods, sometimes with and sometimes without Robert.

    On one occasion she arrived by taxi in the middle of the night, having totally destroyed her beautiful white Chrysler 300 by hitting a rock (at about 100mph, according to her) somewhere on the highway driving down from the US. I believe the rock survived!

     My mother used to stay at her flat in London on her visits. I knew her very well; she was very tall [actually, 5ft 8in, but described as 'tall build'] and absolutely gorgeous!"

    In the 60s, she lived in Long Valley, NJ, but also had:

    Greycoat Gardens ...a flat at 7 Greycoat Gardens, London SW1

     She appeared in 7 episodes of a TV series called "Bonsoir" in 1962, as "herself".

    "Towards the end of her life she lived in San Pedro near Marbella, Spain and married Bill Vanderveldt who had been a boyfriend decades before and had never really fallen out of love with her - they were blissfully happy together in Spain until Sheila sadly predeceased Bill. We visited on numerous occasions, including one trip when Sheila and my mother (both in their 60s) drove Sheila’s unairconditioned right hand drive Mini Countryman from Andalusia to San Sebastian to catch the ferry to the U.K.

    All the memories I have of Sheila are extremely happy ones. As our American cousins would perhaps say, she was “quite a gal!"

     


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  • Garst, Virginia Louise (W.78)

     W.78  3rd Officer Virginia Louise Garst 
     flag usa  b. 28 Nov 1918, New York  14 Apr-42 to 24 Nov-42

     ata virginia garst CB CB

         

      

    Father: Frederick Raymond Garst, mother Bessie Jean [Unk]

    Next of Kin: Mrs E A Reedy, Kansas City (mother)

    Ed: St Mary's Academy, Leavenworth, Kansas City, then Sarachon-Hooley Secretarial School 1936-7

    Learnt to fly at Joe Jacobson Flying School, Kansas City

    prev. Flight Instructor

    prev exp: 513 hrs (186 hrs  as instructor)

    Address in 1942: 3344 Gillham Rd, Kansas City MI, then 307 Natchez Building, New Orleans, LA

    Four women from the Kansas City Chapter of the 99s Organisation of Women Fliers applied to join the ATA - Virginia, Mrs Marie Page, 38, Leah Sheppard, 31, and Mrs Helen Hayworth, 39.

    Travelled to Bristol from Halifax, NS on the SS Tetela with Sue Ford, Grace Stevenson and Hazel Raines, arriving 11 May 1942.


    Off sick from 13 Aug to 31 Oct 1942 with appendicitis, and then from 8 to 22 Nov with the "after-effects" - her medical report says "it was noted that this pilot's entire attitude to flying had changed, so much so that I hesitate to recommend the continuance of her service."

    Contract Terminated  - Medical Grounds


    m. Walter V Bottjer

    Moved to Texas c.1959

    d. 19 Dec 1968 - El Paso, TX [Mastosis Carcinoma]

     

     


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  • Gasser, Ernest Edward

     M.540  First Officer Ernest Edward Gasser 

     flag usa

     b. 16 Feb 1910, Peoria IL.

    Parents both Swiss.

    28 Apr 1941 to Dec-41 

     

         

     Studied Engineering and Accountancy in College, then in the US Marine Corps (Radio & Comms) 1931-35

    Started flying at Washington Airport on Fleet in 1936, then 1939 on Taylor Cubs and Aeronca. Bought his own Aeronca Chief, took a commercial pilot's license and an instructor's course in Rockville.

    A corporal in the Washington DC Special Police, as a radio operator.

    prev exp  445hrs on Aeronca, Fleet, Wco, Stinson, Fairchild, Cub.

    Address in 1941: 4848 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD


    Trained on Magister, Hawk, DH Moth and Avro Tutor; completed his training on Harvard and Hurricane in Aug 1941

     Hurricane II 

    d. 7 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - in Hurricane IIb Z5663; became lost in snowstorm and nose-dived into ground in Wyre Forest, nr the Button Oak Inn, 5mi NW of Bewdley, Worcestershire.

     the button oak inn The Button Oak Inn, 2015

     

     ata gasser funeral ATA

    Buried in All Saints Church, Wribbenhall on the 10th December. The pall bearers were Sergeant Pilots Jeffery (Canada), Munro (Canada), Brown (USA), Terry (USA), Isfield (Canada) and Wilson (USA).

    Chief Mourners were F/O Jack Terry, F/O Anthony Storey, and Miss Stamford. The many wreaths included one from Mrs Jane Spence, "the only American-born resident in Bewdley."

    His wife Mrytle wrote "Numbers of my husband's friends, both officers and fellow-pilots, have written to me. Will you please give them my sincere thanks? I'm glad he made so many friends, and I appreciate their sympathy."


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  • Gates, Russell F.

     M.607  First Officer Russell F. Gates 

    flag usa

      b. 17 Oct 1910, Kansas City MO 31 May 1941 to 30 May 1942 

     ata russelll gates ATA

         

     

    Father: Ford Gates, mother Essie [Martin]

    Ed. Grammar School, Lake Forest IL

    prev. private flying for 8 years. Trucking Business.

    Address in 1941: R.F.D. Route 2, La Grange, IL

    m.  and she lived at 4 Park Avenue, Prestwick then 26 St Augustine Avenue, Croydon


    Postings: 4aFPP, 6FPP

    Off sick from 12 Dec 41 to 5 Mar 42 with appendicitis.

    "An officer who could never be relied upon to do much, owing to a great amount of sickness he had during the period of his attachment to this Pool."

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.


    US Military 1943-46

    d. 3 Oct 1998 - Sarasota, Florida


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  • Gemmill, Henry Clay Joseph

     M.---  First Officer Henry Clay Joseph Gemmill 

    flag usa

     b. 3 Jul 1909, Indianapolis IN  12 Sep 1940 to 23 Dec 1940 

           

     

    Ed. Fishburn Military Prep School, Virginia Military Institute, Purdue University, Indianan State University.

    m. Marjorie R



    Address in 1941: 2707 N Haskee, Dallas TX. Employed by the Dallas Aviation School at Love Field.

    Later Regional Manager for Loral Electronics.

    d. 29 Oct 1967, Dayton OH

    "He flew with the RAF Cayton Wright Committee before joining the US Navy [in June 1942] from which he retired as a Lt-Commander."

     

  • Genovese, Joseph

     M.631  First Officer Joseph 'Gen' Genovese 
     flag usa  b. 6 Jan 1911, New York 24 Jul 1941 to 23 Jul 1942 

     

    ata joseph genovese cnac

    with China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) flying 'The Hump' between India and China, 1942-3

    http://cnac.org/genovese01.htm

         

     

    Ed. New York University (B.S. in Commerce)

    married

    prev. a commercial pilot, and aircraft production engineer. USA Air Corps Flying Cadet from Sep-38 to Apr-39,

    Address in 1941: 4144 Pacific Highway, San Diego CA

    Address of mother (Anna): 68 Aberdeen St., Brooklyn, NY


    Postings: 16FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP

    He was suspended without pay 3 times in his year with the ATA:

    - 15 Feb 42, for 3 days, for 'conduct and neglect prejudicious to the interest of A.T.A.';

    - 26 Apr 42, for 2 days for Low Flying, and

    - 7 Jul 42, for 7 days for Shooting up Ratcliffe.

    And also had one accident, when he force-landed his Airacobra after a complete engine failure. Not his fault.

    His C.O. reckoned him a "willing and able pilot, somewhat self-opinionated in character", but a later report describes him as "a very capable pilot but unreliable both as an officer and in the air."

    He says he was offered a new contract but declined it, because "I was eternally maddened by that rule against instrument flying. They should have been teaching it to their pilots instead of forbidding them to do it; had they done so many lives might have been saved."


    After ATA and then CNAC, he joined Republic as a test pilot. In March 1944, he was the pilot of a Thunderbolt which suffered engine failure: "Miss Marjorie McCutcheon was treated for bruises when a plane crashed into her home. The plane glided downward on a line toward the McCutcheon home, shearing 3 powerline poles before crashing into the kitchen. Capt Genovese was bruised and one knee was injured."

    Wrote 'We Flew Without Guns', 1945 (having apparently promoted himself to 'Flight Captain'):

    We Flew Without Guns Ad front

    d. 10 Apr 2010

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gibson, Alfred Russell

     M.609  First Officer

    Russell Alfred 

    [sometimes known as 'Alfred Russell'

    'Gibby' Gibson

     

    flag usa

      b. 12 Nov 1920, Massillon, OH  

    1 Jun 1941 to 31 May 1942

    and

    8 Sep 1942 to 31 Aug 1943


     

         

     

    Father: Russell Ulyssus Gibson, a carpenter; mother Marion Bole Gibson [originally English?]

    Ed. High School in Bexley, OH

    prev. a Flight Instructor with Miller Flying School, Columbus OH

    Address in 1941: 2708 Allegheny Ave, Columbus OH


    Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP

    "This pilot's flying is neat and safe. He appears keen and willing to learn from experience."

    "Apt to be overconfident."

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Ken Fogelberg, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.

     After his second ATA contract, he sailed back from Scotland to New York on the 5 Aug 1943.


    CNAC November 1943 - 1947 flying 'The Hump' between India and China. See CNAC Captian A. Russell Gibson

    In 1948, he and his brother-in-law John F. ['Johnny'] Shoemaker established a transport business called 'Air Carriers Ltd'. in Hong Kong, using a C-46.

    d. 11 Apr 2001 - California

    His wife Jackie wrote to CNAC in 2009: "Thank you for your letter regarding my husband, "Gibby" Gibson and about CNAC. I found it interesting and will be happy to talk to you more about him. He joined the ATA in England before America was involved in WW II and joined CNAC after the start of the War. I have some data about CNAC which he left in 1947 after 199 trips over the hump. He flew with them as Capt. and left with 3,057 hrs. of flying C47, C-46 and DC-4s. We met in Rangoon in 1949 and married in 1950 so that was after his years with CNAC. He retired from JAL in 1980, where he was flying 747's and as you already know he died in 2001 here in California."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Gingiss, Aleck Jack

     M.655  First Officer  Aleck Jack 'Al' Gingiss
     flag usa   b. 9 Aug 1915, St. Paul MN 16 Jul 1941 to 15 Jul 1942 

     

    ata al gingiss cnac

    with China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) flying 'The Hump' between India and China, 1942-3

    http://cnac.org/gingiss01.htm

         

     

    Ed. Hibbard High School, Chicago

    Address in 1941: 2100 Lincoln Park W, Chicago IL

    Next of kin: (Mother) Betty Gingiss

    prev. "Pilot. Salesman. Treasurer. [of what?]"

     prev. exp. 1500hrs


    Postings: 1FPP

    Off sick from 22 Mar to 25 Apr with appendicitis.

    "A pilot of fully average ability. Has carried out his duties satisfactorily."

    'Gen' Genovese says Al was "addicted to horseplay", because "you can't fly constantly under the most difficult conditions without having some kind of relief... so, a lot of us took our relief in the air - in horseplay."

    One such incident was when Al, Genovese and Steve Beville [q.v.], on a delivery flight in December 1941, discovered that their 3 Hurricanes had loaded guns, so they used them to do some duck-shooting; taking aim at the royal ducks in the grounds of Windsor Castle. "Actually you don't hit many ducks... the accuracy required when drawing a bead on a slow-moving mallard through the gun-sights on a Hurricane doing 250 mph is enough to make it a truly competitive proposition."

    Unfortunately, Al flew straight into a flock of ducks, which cracked his windscreen, broke his propeller, and, when he jettisoned the hood it crashed into the vertical tail fin.

    He made a good forced landing. "The story he told the Accident Committe was far more interesting", says Genovese; "He was flying extremely low due to bad weather, and, in accordance with international law, he flew on the right side of the tracks. Becuse he couldn't see clearly, he ran smack into a flight of ducks."

    "The fault was entirely on the part of the ducks," Gingiss concluded in relating his story. "They were flying on the wrong side of the tracks."

    He got away with it. The official report simply says "Landed on rough part of runway & nosed over. Pilot forced to make glide approach in difficult wind conditions as he had flown into flight of bird."

    The following month, Al and Gen were delivering a couple of Beaufighters to Scotland. Again, Al made the "happy discovery" that his guns were loaded. "He fired a couple of bursts under my tail by way of telling me what he had found. I promptly investigated and found mine in the same condition."

    They looked around for something to shoot up, and discovered some mines just off-shore. They exploded 9 mines between them in 20 minutes, then completed their deliveries.

    The Air Ministry "raised particular hell about that little incident - in a dignified way, of course. All ATA pilots (especially "American pilots") were "warned and advised against such conduct, on pain of permanent suspension."

     "I have a sneaking suspicion they're talking about us", Al said.


    d. Jan 21, 2006, "devoted husband of Carmel (nee Becker), loving father of Nancy, Steven and Anthony Gingiss, dear brother of the late Bill, Ben, Birdie Rosenthal and Mitzi Bessman, cherished grandfather of Frances, Gabrielle and Abby Gingiss, fond uncle of many nieces and nephews, dear brother-in-law of Veronica Gingiss."

    Obituary here

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Goodwin, Una Julia (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Una Julia Goodwin
     flag usa   b. 24 Dec 1902, Virgie AR 10 Jun-42 to 2 Sep-42 

     ata una goodwin CB CB

         

     

    Father: John Porter Godwin, from Cordell OK

    ed. 4 yrs High School, 2 yrs Dramatic Art at Dallas Academy

    Learnt to fly in 1929 in Oklahoma; "I am confident my future is in aviation and am willing to give up almost anything to get ahead in it", she said.

    prev: clerk; secretary of the Oklahoma section of the 99 Club of women pilots launched in 1929 by Amelia Earhart; barnstorming and aerobatics displays

    2nd woman in Oklahoma to get a transport pilot rating, in 1937

    prev. exp 380hrs

     Next of kin: (sister) Mrs Marcia O Mills, 216 Congress Ave, San Antonio TX

    Address in 1940: 3350 16th SNW, Washington DC (previously 1929-1941, 902 E Dr, Oklahoma City)

    Arrived from Nova Scotia on the 29 June 1942 with fellow ATA women pilots Peggy Lennox and Mary Zerbel; on joining the ATA, Una said she was anxious to rejoin her friend, Grace Stevenson.

    One accident:

    27 Aug 1942, when her foot slipped off the rudder when landing a Hart, causing a ground loop

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot]

    Returned to the USA to find that she was over the age limit for WASP training, and so joined the Womens Army Corps in April 1944 as a Private and was stationed in Florida as a Link Trainer, until being demobbed in Sep 1945.

    ata una goodwin 1944             ata una goodwin 1944 2

    In 1944 she said "Personally I have no post-war plans for flying. I'll fly for entertainment, but like many other trained women pilots, I'll take a back seat in the paying flying positions to make way for the men."

     Moved to San Antonio in 1976

    ata una goodwin grave Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

    d. 4 Mar 1978 - San Antonio, Texas

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Goza, Clarence Edward

     M.242  First Officer Clarence Edward 'Speedy' Goza 

    flag usa

      b. 28 Mar 1910. Buda Texas 30 Aug 1940 to 29 Aug 1941 

           

     

    Ed. at Texas University, Mechanical Engineering

    Next of kin in 1940: Mother, Mrs M. L. Roberts, Box 545 Rt 5, Houston, Texas

    m. Mar 1941 Kathleen Irene [Bewshear] and lived at 418 Wells Rd, Bristol 4, UK


    Sailed to the UK from Montreal with fellow pilots Alexander Chase, Clyde Gray (M.244), Robert Perlick, Philo Pringle, Albert Robbins, and Gilbert Tobin.

    Postings: White Waltham, Whitchurch

    "Good pilot, prefers single-engine types; not too progressive, but vastly improved."

    After a couple of forced landings early on, he had a lucky escape in Jun-41 when his Blenheim, flying in bad weather, hit a tree.

    Sailed back to Montreal with fellow pilots Hubert Timmermans, Gilbert Tobin, Irving Nelson and Lewis Hunter.


    d. 1 Aug 1947 from burns he suffered in the crash of a crop-dusting aircraft near Spartanburg, S.C. His plane, belonging to Roberts Dusting Co. of Fort Pierce, Florida, stalled after take-off and crashed on the farm of William Mitchell where he was dusting cotton.

    ata clarence goza grave

    Inman Cemetery, Inman, Spartanburg County, South Carolina


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Gragg, Robert Olyn

     M.173 First Officer  Robert Olyn Gragg 

    flag usa

     b. 18 Jun 1914, Montgomery Alabama 18 Oct 1940 to 23 April 1943 

           

    ed. University of Alabama '2 yrs Aeronautical Engineering'

    4yrs aircraft maintenance work, 8 yrs private flying. 622hrs

    married

    Address in 1940: 702 Narman Bridge Rd, Montgomery, Alabama

    Arrived in the UK 11  Nov 1940 on the SS Duchess of Atholl

    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Charles Smith, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    His contract was terminated 17 Oct 1941 and he sailed to Montreal with fellow US airmen Donald Annibal, Roy Wimmer, George Wood, Robert Vinson, Claude Cole (all ATA) and Louis Brosmer; however, his contract was renewed 26 Jan 1942.

    "An efficient and reliable pilot. V. keen. Discipline v. good both on and off duty."

    Moved to Montreal, Canada, with his wife sometime before 1945.

    Director of Flight Operations for Atlantic Southeast Airlines in 1972.

    d. 21 Oct 2004 - Crossville, TN


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Gray, Clyde Erskine

     M.244 First Officer   Clyde Erskine Gray

    flag usa

    b. 29 Dec 1907, St Louis MI 

    30 Aug 1940 to 25 Jun 1941

    [299 days]


           

     

    "Mr and Mrs H[arry] R[ichmond] Gray are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a little son, born Dec. 29. The little fellow is the first grandchild in both families and has been names Clyde Erskine Gray after his paternal grandfather" - St Louis Post-Dispatch

    The family moved to South Shore Drive, Chicago and in May 1908 it was reported that: "Mrs Clyde Erskine, Mrs Gray's mother, is visiting them."

    Educated; Grammar School, Military School, Jr. College

    Engaged to  Winifred Alaine [Stanz] in 1929 but may not have married (see below)

    m. Elsie Mary [Green] Dec 1940 in Bristol

    Address in 1941: Box 1001, Beverley Hills, California

    Elsie's address: 11 Burnside Gardens, Prestwick

    prev. an Aerial Photographer


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP

    Not sure why his contract was cut short after 299 days - his only accidents (the latter not his fault) were in November and December 1940.

    He sailed back to the USA on 26 April 1941, without Elsie.


    d. Jan. 9, 1965 - Los Angeles County, California, USA

    His son, Stephen Bennett Bishop,"known to his friends and family as Steve, died on April 17, 2014, after a short illness. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on February 26, 1931, to Winifred Alaine Stanz and Clyde Erskine Gray. He was adopted by Herbert Bennett Bishop at the age of three and was raised in the Los Angeles area for most of his childhood."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Gregg, William Eugene

     M.175 First Officer  William Eugene Gregg 

    flag usa

    b. 18 Feb 1915, Sunbury Ohio   13 Nov 1940 to 12 Nov 1941

           

     

    Graduate of the Ryan School of Aeronautics; worked for Butler Airphotos (Aerial Survey).

    prev. exp 1,000hrs

    Married

    Address in 1940: 1651 Milford Ave, Columbus, Ohio


    Postings: 2FPP

    "Has done a good year's work. Efficient and keen pilot. Discipline good."


    d. 1999


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Griffin, John Hook

     M.----  Part-Time Pilot  Lieut-Commander John Hook Griffin USN
     flag usa  b. 3 May 1904, Charleston, SC 2 Mar 1941 to 6 May 1941 

     

         

     

    m. 29 Dec 1934, Elizabeth Marsden [Smith, d. 1988], 2 children

    US Naval Aviator #3592 (1930)  

    prev. exp. 3,000 hrs

     From 1940, attached to Scouting Squadron 2 (USS Lexington)


     Part Time Pilot


    Address from 1944: 195 Hanover St., Annapolis, MD (his father's house)

    Appointed as Senior Naval Member of the joint U.S. Defense Board in 1951.

     In 1973, he withheld $74.83 in taxes due to Anne Arundel County, Maryland due to what he called an "unfair tax differential."

     ata john h griffin 1980 1980 - still fighting the county over tax

    d. 12 May 1998 (age 94) - Annapolis, MD 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    download grey

  • Grigsby, Earl Clinton

     M.411  First Officer Earl Clinton Grigsby 
    flag usa   b. 27 Mar 1918, Nr Roy, Washington

    26 Mar 1941 to 24 Feb 1942

    [335 days


     

    ata earl grigsby 1941

    San Bernadino County Sun, 1941

     

    ata earl grigsby 1942

    and 1942

       

     

    Educated at San Bernadino High School, CA

    Address in 1941: 1382 Vine St, Highland, CA

    A Commercial pilot, flying since 1936, Tri City Airport, San Bernadino

     from the 'San Bernadino County Sun':

    "First Word Received from E.C. Grigsby, Highland Flier

    Earl C. Grigsby, Highland youth who at 22 years of age is already a veteran flier, is now a member of the royal air force, engaged in defending London from Nazi air raids.

    The youth is believed to be the only San Bernadino county flier in the R.A.F. He is the son of [ClintonTherman] Grigsby, widely known Highland resident, who is foreman of the Highland Fruit Growers' packing house.

    According to a censored letter written by Earl to his father, the Highland youth said he was now 'flying over London' and that he 'had one of the best flying jobs to be had'.

    As far as is known, Earl flew across the Atlantic Ocean as a ferry pilot, under contract with the Canadian government.

    Earl became interested in aviation when only 16 years old and made a rapid advancement in his chosen field. He received his first training at the Shandlin Hills and the Tri-city airport.

    He then went to Long Beach to further his training under government instruction. At Long Beach he was advanced 50 hours of flying requirements because of his flying record and experience.

    Earl received his 'wings' two months ago at Long Beach and left almost immediately for Montreal, Canada, expecting to be an instructor for the Canadian government in one of their air schools. There again he advanced rapidly and was given an overseas contract.

    Mr Grigsby recently received the first letter from his son since Earl left the United States.

    The letter required three weeks to reach Highland from the aerodrome near Maidenhead, Berkshire, where Earl is stationed. The youth could tell little of his experiences in England because of censorship. He said he is studying to be a trans-atlantic pilot.

    Although a native of Washington, Earl has lived in Highland the greater part of his life. His home is at 1381 Vine street. He attended Highland elementary school and was graduated from the San Bernadino High School."

    [

    media 18232 www.americanairmuseum.com

    "Another Highland youth now in service in England is Grigsby's chum, Keith Alexander, also of 1382 Vine street, who is a first officer in the American Eagle Squadron, stationed near London."

     ]

    Transferred to Atfero, Feb 42.

     3 Apr 1942: "He has greatly enjoyed his work overseas, but has little to say of his war experiences. Earl also visited his mother, Mrs. Margie Grisby of Harlem Springs.

    Young Grisgby left tonight to drive back to Montreal to resume his flying, and expects from now on to become a transatlantic pilot."

    From 1970, ran G&E Flying Service, which was renamed J Kreuger and E Grigsby (Redlands Air Academy) in 1975, located at 1745 Sessums Dr., Redlands CA.

     redlands air academy 1976[Please note that this coupon is no longer valid :-} ]

    d. 4 Apr 2001 - Highland, San Bernardino, CA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Grundstrom, Edwin Allan

     M.586 First Officer  Edwin Allan 'Eddie' Grundstrom 

    flag usa

     b. 2 Nov 1915, Springfield, MA  5 Jun 1941 to 7 Oct 1942 

     ata edwin grundstrom ATA

         

     

    His father, Maurice, who was a toolmaker, was a Swedish naturalised American.

    Ed. Springfield Trade School

    prev. a draftsman, commercial artist and aerial photographer for United American Bosch, Inc.

    "Flying privately since 1936. Been in aviation since 1929. Experienced in flying for photography and survey work." Learnt to fly at Alsop Flying Service, Springfield. Approx 780 hrs total.

    Address in 1941: 81 Savoy Ave, Springfield MA (parents)


    Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP

    He did well; "a capable pilot who has worked hard", but he was suspended and fined 2 days pay ($14) in Dec-41 as he "brought a Priority One machine into Ratcliffe when it was well out of his correct course and he had no excuse for doing so."

    His original contract expired on the 10 Jun 1942, and he sailed to the US the next day with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Manley Fairbrother, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg.

    However, the following month he applied for, and received, another contract, which ran from the 28 Aug 1942.

    d. 7 Dec 1942: on the 6 Dec at 6:30pm he fell from the staircase of the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast from the fourth floor to the ground floor.

    Former Grand Central Hotel Belfast geograph.org.uk 628907

    "He carried out the boyish prank of sliding down the banisters and I regret that on this occasion he overbalanced and fell down the well of the staircase." [In case you're wondering, Edwin was considered to be a man of very temperate habits - a non-smoker and "practically a non-drinker".]

    He was taken to the 5th General US Hospital, Musgrave Park, Belfast, apparently suffering from concussion. By 6pm the following evening (7 Oct) a medical bulletin stated that he was expected to be absent from duty for "three or four weeks"; however, he died later that evening from intracerebral hemorrhage.

    His friend Marshall Miton officiated at the funeral on the 12th October. Edwin was initially buried in the American Section of the Belfast City Cemetery, but later re-interred in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial.

    ata edwin grundstrom grave

    Which just left the issue of whether the £2,000 insurance would be paid. Apparently, Edwin had always made a practice of sliding down the banisters and had been repeatedly warned of this; one or two of his fellow pilots "ridiculed the whole question of the claim being submitted."

    Things dragged on until December, when the underwriters decided they would give him the benefit of the doubt and pay the compensation. There was a clause in the agreement which excluded death of the Insured "deliberately caused by exposing himself to exceptional danger", but they reckoned that there was not enough evidence for this.

    In a final sad footnote, a letter arrived from his friend Arthur (Lee) Bacon after Edwin's death. It reads:

    "Hello Eddie (old boy)

    Well bud I sure was glad to hear from you. As far as being slow on letters I guess we're both about the same.

    You asked me to tell you the news (well there isn't any) so there. I'll just tell you anything, all right? Your brother Harry was home on leave from the Navy for a couple of weeks and does he look good (well fed). He said he likes it alot. Oh yes Harry Herman and some of the boys staged a daylight air raid with flour bags (Sept 20th about 2pm). More fun, I guess that is the most excitement in days, weeks. Al and the rest of the fellows are going to take their test sometime this mo.

    You asked me to give you my views of Frances well... I shouldn't even try, because you know all the luck I have with my girl-friends don't you. Don't you?

    I will say this tho, if Frances likes you (just for you) and not for the money you have etc etc --, she would make one beautiful wife. (oboy oboy). In fact I think I'll be your ice man, milkman or something so I can call on her when you're not around.

    As I told you before tho, nobody can make up your mind for you, if you like her and you want her, the only thing I would tell you to do is go get her.

    By the way I'm sure glad to hear that you're flying the big ones now. The only thing that makes me mad is that I'm not there so I can fly with you.

    Also can you give Ed B my congrats (I heard he was married). (poor boy).

    This letter has taken me an hour to write so I'll stop now.

    Boy do I wish you were home. The old town's quite dead without you so hurry back.

    Love and kisses, Arthur

    p.s. Emma and I aren't doing to bad, we still have our ups and downs just like anybody else you know up and down (oboy)"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Hall, Jesse Hugh

     M.252 First Officer  Jesse Hugh Hall 

    flag usa

     b. 5 Dec 1903, Orange Springs, Florida 

    5 Dec 1940 to 29 Sep 1941 

     [298 days]


           

     

    Education: 2 yrs High School

    prev. a Flying Instructor

    Address in 1940: E 4th Ave and 29th St, Hialeah, Florida

    Next of Kin: his sister Mrs Roy Milton, who lived at 32 Baceller, Lynn, Mass., USA


    Postings: 14FPP


    d. c.1966


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hamilton, Robert Leonard

     M.424 First Officer   Robert Leonard Hamilton, Jr
    flag usa  b. 12 Jan 1906, Baltimore, MD

    17 Mar 1941 to 17 Jun 1942

     [457 days]


     

         

     

    Ed. at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and University of Baltimore

    prev. Managed a Country Club

    Address in 1941: Elkridge Club, Baltimore - see www.elkridgeclub.org


    Postings: 6FPP

    "A good pilot... an excellent officer and works hard"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hampson, John Edward

     M.---  2nd Officer  John Edward 'Jack' Hampson
     flag usa  b.20 Sep 1907, Fillmore, CA 10 Jun 1941 to 9 Aug 1941 

     ata john hampson ATA

         

     

    Father: JamesThomas, mother Jennie [Finnerty]

    Ed. Notre Dame College, Indiana

    m. Lola Mae [Welch] (Divorced, 2 daughters Jacqueline Mae b. 1929 and Marguerite A b. 1932)

    prev. 1st Lieut. US Marine Aviation 1927-29, Flight Leader, RCAF Air Observer School at Prince Albert, Sask.

    prev. exp. 4500hrs

    Learnt to fly in 1932 at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, passing his test for a Federal private license in October 1932.

    However, two months later he was arrested when he flew his "fast monoplane" across the border from Baja Callifornia, after a tip-off. They found 130 gallons of illegal Mexican alcohol hidden in the fuselage...

    He got 30 days in jail, five years probation and he was told to "be kind to his paralyzed mother and bedfast father, and to live on the ranch at Fillmore, given to him by his father, and to remain at home with his wife and child[ren]."

    Address in 1941: 673 West St., Upland CA


    Contract Terminated 9 Aug 1941 - he "consistently absented himself from duty for long periods without leave and his conduct was unsatisfactory."

    "His obstinacy and impatience are regretted as he should quickly have made a most useful and competent ferry pilot."


    Joined the Fleet Air Arm on 6 Oct 1941 and was a pilot in 772 Squadron FAA [HMS Landrail (RN Air Station, Machrihanish, Argyllshire)]

    In Jan 1944, a "John E Hampson, Montalvo truck driver, was arrested on suspicion of violation of the selective service act."

     d. 25 Jan 1983 - Los Angeles

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hanks, William Lawrence

     M.238  First Officer William Lawrence Hanks 

    flag usa

    b. 27 Sep 1919, Montgomery Alabama   3 Dec 1940 to 2 Dec 1941

           

     

    Father Joseph Perry Hanks (d. 1939), Mother Minnie Belle Dowling (d. 1966)

    prev. a Commercial Pilot

    Address in 1940: 1042 Sorolla Ave, Coral Gables, Florida


    d. 2 Nov 1967 - Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, Michigan


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Harris, George Thomas

     M.227 First Officer George Thomas Harris 

    flag usa

     b. 27 Dec 1905, Lawrence, Kansas  7 Aug 1940 to 1 Dec 1940  

      

    ata george harris

     Iola Register,14 Aug  1941

         

     

    m. Margurite

    prev. Kansas National Guard

    Address in 1940: 714 N.N. St., Lawrence, Kansas (father)

    Contract Terminated 1 Dec 1940 - Transferred to Atlantic Ferry Organisation [AtFero]


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 10 Aug 1941 - Liberator AM261 crashed into Goat Fell mountain on Isle of Arran after take-off from Heathfield Ayr (22 killed - 5 crew and 17 travelling as passengers). Victims included F D Bradbrooke (q.v.)

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Heering, Erwin E Theodore

     M.209 *  Captain Erwin E Theodore Heering 

    flag usa

     b. 28 Jun 1918, Hartley Iowa Aug 1940 then Jan-41 - 30 Nov 1945 

      

    ata erwin heering 1946 1946

    Presenting 2 pints of blood, which Empire Airlines flew free of charge from one New York hospital to another.

    Star-Gazette, New York

         

     

    m. Magdalena L [Dockter]

    Originally applied for the ATA in Aug 1940 but was rejected

     Postings: 10FPP (Commanding Officer, 1943-44)

    Pilot for Empire Airlines in 1946; Vice-President of Consolidated Air Transit, Inc in 1947; Operations Controller for World Airways in 1982

    ata ed heering with ELC in 1975 with Lettice Curtis in 1975 (ELC)

    ata erwin heering

    d. 2 Jun 2007, Hayward CA

     

  • Heising, Horace Crowell

     M.110 *  First Officer Horace Crowell Heising 

    flag usa

     b. 13 Feb 1902, Minneapolis, Minnesota 10 Aug 1940 to 13 Jan 1941

      

    ata horace heising 

    St Louis Post-Despatch

         

     

    Ed. at South Pasadena High School, CA

    Took his US Commercial Pilots Licence in St Louis, MO, in 1928

    prev. pilot for Chicago & Southern Air Lines

     prev. exp. 7000hrs

    He and Harold Phillips were reported "killed in combat with Nazi attackers over London" and/or "killed when his Spitfire crashed into a barrage balloon" in October 1940, but by mid-December his sister told the newspapers that she had received a letter from him, dated November 1.

    In November he also wrote to Bruce Braun, the VP of Chicago&Southern in November 1940: "I guess you blokes (pipe the lime) think I've shot my wad. Well, Chief, you never can tell how far a frog will jump by looking at him.

    Things here are what I would call nice going, never a dull moment. Believe me, Bruce, I take my hat off to these Englishmen. The bull dog is most certainly symbolic of them. Their spirit and courage will triumph no matter if the war lasts a hundred years."

    He went back to New Orleans to visit his family in February 1941, and "refute in person the reports of his death."


    Transferred to AtFero February 1941

    In 1947, described as a "transient", he was reported to be "in the [Sacramento] city jail facing charges of passing fictitious checks in three downtown department stores."

    d. 9 Dec 1950  

     

  • Hill, Milton Bailey

     M.606 First Officer   Milton Bailey Hill
     flag usa  b. 23 Feb 1907, Quanah, TX 10 Jun 1941 to 9 Apr 1945 

     

    ata milton hill

    http://airtransportauxiliary.co.uk

         

     

    Father: Austin Herbert Hill

    Ed. High School, Oklahoma City

    m. [1] V  ; [2] 1966 Lena M Jackson Hembling

    prev. Charter and Dusting Flying, Aerial Advertising, Instructing, Barnstorming.

    Address in 1941: Route 1, Comstock Park, Kent, MI


    Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP, 

    Certificate of Commendation, 1943: "Whilst ferrying a Wellington VI from Lynehm to Shawbury on the 3rd April 1943, he experienced complete failure of both engines. He was at a height of approximately 1,400ft and was nearing the Malvern Hills. After losing considerable height he resuscitated the starboard engine but he was unable to get any response from the port engine which he put into coarse pitch and feathered the propeller. F/O Hill made for the nearest airfield which was Defford and succeeded in landing on the runway there with flaps and wheels down without further damage. The Wellington VI will hardly fly on one engine."

    The engine failures were due to incorrect setting of tank cocks within the wing.

    "An extremely hard-working and expert pilot, whose willingness and good discipline make him an excellent officer."

    Sailed from Scotland to New York on 26 Apr 1945


     d. Nov 1985 - Cumberland, Harlan, KY

    "His wife, Lena, survives."

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hoffman, Harold Lee

     M.---  2nd Officer  Harold Lee Hoffman

    flag usa

     b. 9 Apr 1906, St Louis, MO 24 May 1941 to 5 Aug 1941 

     ata harold hoffman ATA

         

     

    Fther: Benjamin Lee Hoffman, Mother: Marie Elizabeth [Curns]

    Ed. Tilden Tech., Chicago IL

    m. Amelia (or Emelia) Veronica [Belloumini, d. 2001]

    prev. Instructor, barnstorming, ferrying, passenger hops, [and a laundry driver for the Nordic Laundry Company and others].

    prev. exp. 420 hrs

     Address in 1941: 831 Sunnyside Ave, Chicago


    Flying under training: 4.05hrs

    Contract Terminated - "Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot"; "Deemed to be erroneously or injudiciously enrolled in Montreal" 


    Post-WWII, joined cargo carrier Airlift International based in Miami FL.

    d. 10 Oct 1970 (age 64) while co-pilot of a C-130 N9248R which crashed attempting to land in bad weather at McGuire AFB near Fort Dix NJ.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Hoffmann, Frank Charles

     M.587 First Officer  Frank Charles Hoffmann Jr 
     flag usa  b. 29 Jul 1912, Valley Stream, Long Island, NY  13 Jun 1941 to 19 Mar 1942 

     

    ata frank hoffman 1930 poss1930

    (?) Brooklyn Daily Eagle

         

     

    Father Frank, a retired shoe manufacturer [who originally trained for the priesthood], mother Florence [Fabian]

    Ed. at Willston Academy, MA (Business School Diploma)

    m. 1935 Mary Elizabeth [Finch], 2 sons

    pre. commercial flying, stunt flying with 'Lucky Harris and his Airshow'

    Address in 1941: 432 Rugby Rd, Brooklyn, NY


    Postings: 16FPP, 4aFPP

     "His flying is quite satisfactory but his general conduct could still be improved."

     [Resigned]


    In 1965, he was running Hoffman Custom Flight Service in Billings, Montana, and he and three others were apppointed 'Local Senior Pilots' by the FAA in 1969:

    ata frank hoffman et al 1969

    Frank on the left.

    d. Jan 1988, Billings

    His obituary in the Billings Gazette reads: "Frank was among the first Army Air Corps flight instructors. He also served in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain. He was a test pilot for Glen L. Martin Inc. and Edo Aircraft before managing the Jacksonville Municipal Airport for seven years. In 1954 and 1955, he was part owner of Alamo Airways in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    He moved to Billings and worked for Lynch Flying Service, then opened Hoffmann Customer Flight Service. In 1960 he brought the first helicopters to Billings. He retired from aviation in 1972 when he closed Sky Harbor Enterprises Inc."

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Holcomb, George Washington

     M.----  First Officer George Washington Holcomb 

    flag usa

      b. 1 Jun 1909, Georgia 12 Dec 1940 to Mar-41 

     

    ata george holcomb

    ATA

         

     

    Electrical Engineering Diploma

    prev. Asst Manager in retail seed business

    prev. exp. 800 hrs


    miles master bw

    d. 27 Mar 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Miles Master T8822 flew into a hill in bad visibility

    buried Whitehaven, Cumbria


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Holcombe, Ralph Lyman

     M.---  2nd Officer Ralph Lyman Holcombe 
     flag usa   b. 29 Oct 1910, Jesse, OK 6 July 1941 to 14 Nov 1941 

     ata ralph holcombe ATA

         

     

    Father: Riley Lee Holcombe, a wholesale seed merchant

    Ed. John Muir Technical High School, Pasadena CA, East Central State Teachers College

    Next of Kin: Mother: Grace [Stewart], 830 E 14th St, Ada, OK

    m. Inez Smith (Divorced, 1 child)

    prev. Pilot for Newton B. Badgett Flying School, Shreveport Louisiana. Flying Instructor to US Air Corps in Stamford TX, May-41 to Jun-41


    Of sick from 20 Aug to 14 Nov 1941 with 'septic mouth'


    Post-ATA, a test pilot for Douglas, Boeing, Bechtel-Cone and Consolidated, and the inventor of a series of pilot training methods and aids that included "the famous buzz bonnet"  used by the US Navy.

    In 1948 his 6-year old daughter Judy was paralyzed after being run over by a truck and subsequently died.

    In 1953 his father suffered a stroke which affected his right side; Ralph designed and built a 'walker', made from airframe tube. The invention was taken up by Walk-A-Gain Walkers Inc, of Ada, and "found a market all over the world."

    The following year, describing himself as a "human engineer", he invented a machine which taught people to dance; it was described as looking like "a cross between a helicopter and a maypole."

    ata ralph holcombe 1954 

    Ralph, with a real dancing instructor and the robot helper being fastened to her feet.

    In 1962 he said he had "well over 12,500 hrs of ferrying, testing, executive flying, instruction work, bush flying, airline work and USAAF."

     d. 1986 - Oklahoma City

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Holloway, Joseph Benjamin

     M.270  First Officer

    Joseph Benjamin 'J. B.' Holloway

     

    flag usa

     b. 27 Jun 1909, Columbus, Georgia

    12 Dec 1940 to 11 Dec 1941

    [364 days]

     

           

     

    Ed. High School in Georgia and Florida

    m. with 2 children

    prev. 6 yrs Marines, 9mo Aviation Corps, USMCRA

    a Pilot Mechanic

    Address in 1940: 2780 NW North River Dr, Miami, Florida (Mother, Mrs Tom Taylor)


     Postings: 2FPP

     He was commended for a successful forced landing in a Westland Whirlwind in Jul-41


     

    In 2004 Florence Mueller wrote: "He was in ATC before the war started and was in for the duration. He was married to my sister Esther in Miami in the late 1930's. They were divorced after the war. J.B. was killed in a plane crash in the mid 50's, flying hops from Miami to the Caribbean islands. I have a silver cigarette case with a map of the hump area with tiny gems in the cities where he stopped. It was my sister's who is deceased.

    See http://cnac.org/index.html


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hoover, Raymond O

     M.345  First Officer  Raymond O Hoover Jr
     flag usa b. 17 Feb 1917, Chambersburg, PA 

    17 Feb 1941 to 3 Mar 1942

    [379 days]

     

       ATAM

         

     

    Educated at Chambersburg High School - a classmate of Bill Elliott (M.343):

    wjelliott science club cashs 1934 1

    Bill Elliott and Raymond Hoover in the Science Club, front row, in 1934

    https://micheleepps.wordpress.com

    His parents ran a turkey farm.

    prev. a Flight Instructor for Mahon Flying Service

    Address in 1941: (Mother) Route 2, Chambersburg, PA


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    "An excellent pilot who gets through all the work given him quietly and efficiently."


    After leaving the ATA, Raymond joined RAF Transport Command, "serving in the Caribbean."

    m. Judith in Maryland in Feb 1948 (Divorced 1958).

    1,500 of his family's turkeys were killed when a poultry barn was hit by lightning in 1959.

    According to the above website, "Raymond Hoover apparently survived the war. His obituary tells us he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for a little over a year piloting planes between Canada and England."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hudson, Evelyn (W.82)

     W.82 First Officer   Evelyn Hudson

     flag england

    -> flag usa

      b. 7 Aug 1908, Sunderland UK 10 Jun-42 to Aug-43 

     ata evelyn hudson 1937 1937

     W082 Hudson Evelyn

    ata evelyn hudson 2

    ATA

     

     

    Father: Frank Hudson (he was a butcher), Mother: Margaret

    Her family moved to Alberta, Canada in March 1911 (when she was 2 years and 7 months old)

    Ed. Strathcona High School, Alberta; McTavish College, Edmonton, Canada

    City and provincial diving champion 1925, 27, 29

    Naturalized American 25 Feb 1938 ('Declaration of Intention' 27 Dec 1934)

    5ft 5in, brown hair, grey eyes

    prev. Flight Instructor

    prev. exp 1,000 hrs

    Learnt to fly in Hawaii in 1930 and then spent 3 years there as co-director of a flying school in Honolulu that "averaged 150 Japanese, Hawaian and American pupils a year",.Her elder sister Winifred, who went with her, became aviation editor of the Star-Bulletin, Honolulu.

    She "achieved international fame as a transcontinental flier and was the only Canadian girl to conduct her own flying school", then moved to Burbank to work (as a secretary) for Lockheed. She also continued as an instructor, for the Grand Central Flying School in Glendale.

    Here she is in 1937, getting ready for an attempt on the world solo endurance record for light planes in her Aeronca C-3:

    ata evelyn hudson endurance flight 1937

    "She will refuel by snatching 5-gallon cans of gasoline from a speeding motor car with a fishline-and-hook arrangement" - Los Angeles Times

    She stayed aloft for 19 hrs 57 min, breaking Laura Ingall's previous mark of 18 hrs 23 min, cutting the flight short because her refuelling equipment was damaged. However, she then repeated the exercise the following September after the record had been raised by Norman Doerr to 24hrs; this time she stayed up for 33hrs 9min, only coming down because of high winds..

    From 1940, she taught flying to Pasadena junior college students (one of only 3 women instructors), under a C.A.A. scheme. "I just talked myself into it", she said.

    Address in 1942: 1334 W. 54th St, Glendale, CA

    Parents' address in 1942: 1848 Argyle Ave, W Vancouver, B.C. Canada

    Sailed from Nova Scotia to Belfast to join the ATA, arriving  28 Jun 1942 with fellow pilots Edith Stearns and Catharine van Doozer.


    Off sick from 17 Mar 1943 after a flying accident - she and Fay Bragg were both injured (Fay only slightly) when they were passengers in a Wellington II, piloted by Elisabeth May, which suffered port engine failure immediately after take-off and crash-landed straight ahead, at RAF Wickenby near Lincoln.

    She then sailed back to New York on the 21 Aug 1943, with Opal Anderson, Margaret Lennox, Roberta Sandoz Leveaux, and Catharine van Doozer.

    m. 1943 Mario W Richards


    see also her story at https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hunter, Lewis Warren

     M.14 First Officer  Lewis Warren Hunter 

    flag usa

     b. 20 Jan 1907, San Francisco, CA  26 September 1940 to 6 Jun 1941 

     ata lewis hunter  ata lewis hunter 2 ATA    

     

     Father: Lewis Clarence Hunter, Box 192, Ross, Marin Co. CA

    Ed. Stanford University

    m. 1931 Suzanne Gerdine; 2 children; divorced

    US Army Corps Feb 1930 - Jun 32; May 36 - Jan 38

    prev. Instructor for the Chinese National Government

    prev. exp 3,700 hrs


    San Anselo Herald, September 1940: "LEWIS WARREN HUNTER TO AID BRITISH GOVERNMENT

    Hunter is a good looking specimen of American manhood. He came down the broad steps of the attractive family home loaded with luggage and greeted reporters and cameramen with "Hi fellows, you're almost too late. Ask me what you want to know while I pile these things in the car... Hate to rush, but the plane leaves in an hour..."

    Off sick from 1 Jan 1941 to 17 Mar 1941 after he made a bad landing in Oxford P9040, "injuring himself and causing considerable damage to the aircraft"

    One further accident in Apr 1941, when "he persisted in flying in bad weather"

    "This man had an extremely bad record with ATA. He was continually getting into difficulties financially and left many unpaid debts in this country, amounting to about £200."

    [His file contains many letters from his creditors after he left, asking whetther the ATA could perhaps pay them (which they politely declined to do), including one from a car dealer called Edwin V Price, who said "I can ill afford to lose this amount after befriending him over a sticky patch".]

    "His private affairs interfered seriously with his usefulness as a ferry pilot and his excessive indulgence in alcohol finally made him unfit to continue his duties,"

    Contract Teminated 6 Jun 1941


    Sailed back to Montreal with fellow pilots Hubert Timmermans, Gilbert Tobin, Irving Nelson and Clarence Goza.

    Trans-Canada Airlines' agent later reported that "he went to Ottawa in an effort to join the Royal Canadian Air Force, but was not accepted in view of your adverse report. We last saw him about October 13th when he said that he had obtained a position as Instructor at an aviation school operated by Quebec Airways at or near Quebec City."

    "On December 1st we learned from the newspapers that he had died suddenly in Montreal, and our inquiries at the Coroner's Court brought forth the information that he had been picked up by the radio police on November 29th in a state of collapse, and had died in hospital the following day. The Coroner's verdict was that his death was due to natural causes [pneumonia], but I surmise that his habits had a good deal to do with his untimely end."

    d. 30 Nov 1941 [age 34]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hyam, Evelyn Constance (W.---)

     W.---

    Cadet -> Operations Officer 

     Evelyn [Gertrude or Constance] [Hyam or Higham]
     flag usa + flag UK b. 25 May 1914, Boston MA  8 Jul-42 to 24 Feb-43 

     

    ata evelyn hyam

    ATA

         

     

    [Although I'm afraid I can't tell you very much about Evelyn, I found out quite a lot about her family!

    The story starts in 1878, when a 16 year old Jewish boy, Albert Titlebaum, arrived in Boston, MA, from Russia with his sister (and presumably their parents). He became a naturalised American in 1885, and in 1893 married another Russian Jewish emigree, Fannie, (formerly Miss Touvim or Touwim). He then set up, with J. Charles Touwim and Louis Smolensky, a clothing store, which obviously prospered.

    During this time, which Wikipedia describes as "an era of religious separatism and anti-Semitism", Albert and Fannie were prominent among Boston's Jewish community that founded Beth Israel Hospital, specifically aimed at immigrants who only spoke Yiddish and kept a kosher diet. That hospital is now part of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the official hospital of the Red Sox.

    Albert was also first president of the Hebrew Ladies Home for the Aged, which started in 1903 with 17 inmates which by 1927 had grown to 180; he was a President and/or Director of the Corporation Tifereth Israel, the Hebrew Free Loan Association, and the Bnoth Israel Sheltering Home.

    Albert and Fannie Titlebaum had three daughters; Harriett (b. 1895, who later m. Max Ulim or Wlim), Esther (b. 1897) and Miriam Ruth (b. 1900, who later m. Harold Burroughs).

    Their middle daughter, Esther, then became pregnant at the age of 16. She rapidly married (we presume) the father, Henry George Eisenstaht, on 11 February 1914, and our Evelyn was born just over 3 months later. Her recorded name was Evelyn Gertrude Eisenstaht.

    Her mother Esther moved to New York to study medicine at Tufts University and became Dr. Esther Tuttle - it looks like this was an anglicization of her surname, not a marriage. She married Nathaniel Charles Greene (born in England to  Russian parents) in 1928 and they had a son James Robert in 1930.

    Meanwhile, in 1930, 15-year-old Evelyn was still living with her grandparents and her aunt Miriam, and specified her grandfather (whom she called Albert Tuttle on her ATA application form) as her father. She also started to call herself "Evelyn Constance Tuttle." ]

    Evelyn went to Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN and then Columbia University, NYC

    She married, on the 12 Feb 1935 in New York, Frederick Benjamin 'Fred' Hyam (sometimes spelt Higham), a British accountant b. 1908 in Bombay, India, "connected with a coal and cement firm" [Later a Captain in the Royal Artillery]

    Fred and Evelyn sailed to the UK straight after the marriage and settled in London.

    Her mother Esther became quite a well-known physician in New York, and lived at 1111 Park Ave (near Central Park), NYC.

    Evelyn sailed back to the US on 4 Nov 1939 to stay with Esther - and to take flying lessons, it seems, because 2 years later she said her flying experience was "51hrs on Cubs, 60 and 65, and Fairchild KR17".

    Evelyn then sailed back from Canada to the UK with Helen Harrrison, arriving 25 May 1942, giving her address as 6, Pall Mall, London SW1 and her next of kin as her husband Fred. [As Helen Harrison was recruited by Jackie Cochran, I have therefore assumed that Evelyn was too. But it may have been a coincidence...]


     Postings: 12FPP

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 30 Sep 1942 - Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot]

    Subsequently offered a job as an ATA Operations Officer, commencing 10 October 1942, at £225 per annum, payable monthly... but for some unknown reason she left after 4 months.


    Her grandfather Albert Titlebaum and her stepfather Nathaniel Greene both died in 1946.

    Evelyn flew BOAC to New York to visit her mother in November 1948, just at the time when Esther was being indicted for defrauding the US Government of $19,606.66 in unpaid taxes for the years 1942-44. Esther denied the charge, and it looks as though she made an arrangement with the IRS as the case doesn't seem to have ever come to court.

    In 1961, Esther was present when her son, James Robert Greene, married Janet Jordan, and here they are at the Belle Meade Mansion and Country Club in Nashville, TN:

    esther tuttle james greene and janet jordan 1961 Esther, Jim and Janet

     Esther died in 1969.

    Evelyn d. 19 Jul 1971 - Brighton

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Imes, George Earl

     M.438  Flight Captain George Earl 'Red' Imes 
     flag usa   b. 24 Nov 1903, Anadarko, OK

    23 Jan 1941 to 30 Sep 1945

    [1,711 days]

     

     ata george imes ATA

         

     

    Father: George W  Imes (dec'd), a farmer. Mother: Mrs Jennie [Porter] McCullough

     m. 1934 Mary Louise [Morgan] [divorced 1940]. 1 son, Albert Earl. b. 1936

    prev. owned a crop dusting business, commercial pilot.

    prev. exp. 4,017 hrs

    Address in 1941: Belle Glade, Florida


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP, AFTS. Seconded to Stradishall (1943) and Marston Moor (1944, 1945)

     "A most steady, reliable and hard working officer and instructor. A popular pilot who does all work given him well and gets on well with both pupils and fellow instructors."

    "A pilot of exceptional ability."


    George remarried. In Apr 1954 their 9-day old son Allan Nelson Imes died in a local Belle Glade hospital.

    d. 30 Dec 1980, Palm Beach Florida.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Inman, Rodger

     M.118 *  2nd Officer Rodger 'Rolley' Inman 

    flag usa

      b. 25 Jan 1902, Oskaloosa, Iowa 25 Sep 1940 to 26 Oct 1940 

           

     

    Father: William Riley Inman, Mother Ora B [Fowler]

    Next of kin: (mother) Ora Inman, 511W First St, Coffeyville, Kansas

    At age 17, a machinist in Worth, Iowa

    "Rodger is one of the two famous flying brothers of Coffeyville, Kansas. He and his brother Arthur operate the Inman Brothers Flying Circus, A third brother, Don, the youngest, was killed in 1935 in a Florida air crash."

     ata inman flying circus 1930s

    Margie Inman, Leona Inman, Melvin Hart, Rolley Inman, Art Inman, Carl Hall, Merle Smith


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Howard Mussey, William Cummings, Edward Vencill, Martin Wetzel and Constant Wilson.

    Went back to the USA on the 'Duchess of Richmond' 1 Nov 1940


    Joned US Air Transport Command, North Atlantic Wing

    d. 19 Jun 1944 - Millinocket, Maine in a C-54 Skymaster crash enroute England to Washington.

     

  • Jacobson, Ralph Gilson

     M.650 Acting First Officer   Ralph Gilson Jacobson
     flag usa   b. 13 Dec 1915, Dawson County, Nebraska 18 Jul 1940 to 20 Jul 1941 

     

         

     

    Father: Hans Keith Jacobson, mother Inez [Gilson] (both American, dec'd)

    Ed. University of Nebraska, George Washington University, Congressional School of Aeronautics.

    Next of kin: (brother) James L Jacobson, 3925 Pa. Ave SE, Washington DC

    prev. Economics Researcher, US Dept of Agriculture; Flight Instructor

    prev, exp. 475 hrs

    m. Jean [Clancy], 2 children

    Address in 1940: 4831 Langdrum Lane, Chevy Chase, MD


     Postings: 1FPP

    Suspended for 7 days in Apr-42 for dangerous flying in doubtful weather conditions.

    One accident, his fault:

    - 24 Jun 1942, he taxied his Master II into a ditch.

    His training report was encouraging - "A capable and keen pilot", but subsequently his Pool CO (Frankie Francis) said he "has so far failed to show sufficient competence and ability as a ferry pilot to be considered as an asset to ATA. In spite of OC Training Pool's comments I have considerable doubts as to his keenness."

    Perhaps he didn't like winter in the UK; later Frankie said he had "shown greater ability and keenness during the summer months."

    Sailed back to the US from Cardiff on the 28 July 1942 with William Deems.


    d. 23 Nov 1970 (age 54) - Camden, NJ

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jacques, Dan Belton

     M.162 *  First Officer Dan Belton Jacques 

    flag usa

      b. 29 Sep 1915, Memphis, TN 17 Oct 1940 to 25 Feb 1941 

     ata dan jacques 1962 1962      

     

    Father: George Dennis Jacques (French national), mother Neva Ella [Willis] (American)

    Ed. Drew's, California University, Boeing School of Aeronautics

    prev. California National Guard, 1931-33; United Airlines, Pilot and Operations.

    Here is a glimpse of him in June 1940, 4th from the right, when he was co-pilot for a one day state-wide tour of Oregon to celebrate the Salem Centennial:

    ata dan jacques 1940

    m. 1940 Marian Ruth [Steffa], 2 children inc Douglas Brian b. Jun 1941

    Address in 1940: 237 Castillian Way, San Mateo, CA


    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Charles Smith, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 1FPP

    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command


    m. 1953 Patricia J Paulbach

    In 1960, Chief Pilot for Atchison Clements, Inc. of Wichita. "He has flown 120 different types of planes for 18,000 hrs since 1928." 

    "As an RAF pilot in 1940, he flew such VIPs as British Ambassador Lord Halifax and Air Marshall Billy Bishop of Canada."

    d. Dec 1980 - Boise ID


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • James, Richard Carl

     M.355 * First Officer  Richard Carl James 
    flag usa   b. 6 Oct 1915, Pittsburgh, PA 6 Mar 1941 to 5 Mar 1942 

        1941

     ata richard james 1942  1942  ata_richard_james.jpg  

     

    Father: Carl Henry; Mother Buleh C

    Ed. Carnegie Institute of Technology

    prev. a "Core Maker" for Westinghouse Airbrake Co., Wilmerding, PA

    Address in 1940: 640 Summerlea St, Pittsburgh


    m. Jul 1941 in Maidenhead, Kathleen 'Kit' [Bennett, from Maidenhead, b.1920 d. 2010] (2 children)

    Delivered 236 aircraft for the ATA, then joined the US Navy on 3 Jul 1942 as a ferry pilot: "I've done my bit to help England, and now that we're in the war, I'll do my bit for my own country."


    USNMC WWII Service until 5 Dec 1945

    d. 12 Sep 2019 - Greenwood, SC

    "Richard was a career Naval Aviator for 27 years, serving in Morocco, England, Japan, Iceland and various duty stations within the United States. He retired as a Commander in 1969 and settled in New Bern, North Carolina, where he and Kit resided for 40 years.

    His love of flying continued into retirement and he enjoyed participating in various "Fly-Ins" across the U.S., often attending in an aircraft he built himself. He maintained a lifelong interest in world affairs and current events.

    After retiring from the Navy he developed his own daily exercise routine and dedicated himself to a healthy lifestyle, living to be almost 104 years old. Upon the death of his beloved wife of 69 years in 2010, Richard moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina to be near his daughter, Anne, and her family.

    Richard is survived by his daughter Anne Landis (Jim); two grandchildren, Kate Doran (Jeff) of Savannah, Georgia; James Landis Jr. (Aimee Smith) of Mexico City, Mexico; and three great grandchildren, Thomas, Penelope, and Vivienne." 

    See https://www.legacy.com

  • Jarrett, Edmund Thornton

     M.321  First Officer Edmund Thornton Jarrett 

    flag usa

     b. 28 Apr 1914, Charleston WV  29 Nov 1940 to 17 Mar 1943 

           

     

    His father William Wesley Jarrett,  was an ex Fire Chief; mother Katherine Belle Biane

    Ed. at Charleston High School, Charleston Business College

    prev. a commercial pilot

    Address in 1940: (parents) 825B Indiana Ave, W Virginia


    Travelled from St. Johns to Liverpool on the SS 'Nova Scotia' with fellow pilots Omar William Crim, Kenneth Douglas, Kenneth Seeds, Robert Vinson and Edwin Whittington.

    Postings: 4FPP, 1FPP, 4aFPP

    [Original contract expired 28 Nov 1941; re-instated 27 Feb 1942]

    "A sound pilot who will not attempt to overstep his capabilities. A good officer and reliable pilot."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Jenkins, Jack Edison

     M.376  First Officer Jack Edison Jenkins 
    flag usa  b. 9 Jul 1914, Venice CA  4 Mar 1941 to 5 Mar 1942 

      ATAM

         

     

    Ed. University of California

    next of kin: (Father) William Ernest Jenkins, [who was "Welsh-American") Hotel Lankershim, 7th Broadway, Los Angeles. Mother Ambie McMican

     m. Dec 1936 to actress Doris [Dudley], doris dudley jenkins

    [IMDB: Doris Dudley was born on July 7, 1917 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for The Moon and Sixpence (1942), The Secret Fury (1950) and A Woman Rebels (1936). She died on August 14, 1985 in Greenville, Texas, USA.]

    1 child  Jack Dudley 'Butch' Jenkins jackie butch jenkins b: 29 Aug 1937 in Los Angeles

    [IMDB: He was an actor, known for National Velvet (1944), The Human Comedy (1943) and Boys' Ranch (1946). He was married to Gloria. He died on August 14, 2001 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.]

    prev. restaurant trade, US Navy aviation cadet Jan-40 to Feb-41

    Address in 1941: 1132 So. Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles CA


    Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP

     Off sick with appendicitis from 17 Jun 1941 to 31 Jul 1941

    Fined 14 days pay in May-41 for "shooting up Henley"

    "A very capable pilot and an excellent officer in every way"


    d. 16 Dec 1989


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Kay, Lionel Duane

     M.189  First Officer Lionel Duane Kay 

    flag england

      b. 28 Feb 1905, Salt Lake City, UT 18 Nov 1940 to 19 Sep-44 

     ata lionel kay  ata lionel kay 2 ATA    

     

    Lionel said his parents were "Phillip B Kay, and Hazel Madeline King (both dec'd)", but it is dubious whether Philip was actually his father, and in any case he was still alive, although Hazel d. 30 Jan 1919 in the post-WWI flu outbreak.

    Ed. Salt Lake City High

    Nick Dunning tells me that "Lionel was formally adopted in June 1919 following the death of his mother by Louis LaVell, who may well have been Hazel's partner. Louis was a professional riverboat gambler. 

    Lionel had apparently trained to be a doctor, but instead got the aviation bug and learnt to fly. 
     
    He was involved in the setting up of an aerodrome in Boise, Idaho, and was one of the pioneers of flying air mail, working for Varney Air Lines on the airmail route CAM-5.
     
    In 1926-1927 Lionel was apparently one of the circa 300 aviators who took part in the spectacular flying sequences, shot in Texas, in the Hollywood blockbuster 'Wings' starring Clara Bow and featuring Gary Cooper. 
      
    Apparently Lionel flew in flying circuses and did barnstorming demonstrations etc. in the late 1920's.
     
    Sadly Louis LaVell was the murdered in Elko, Nevada, in 1928. Lionel remained close to Louis's son Marvin, and his wife Marie."
     

    In 1930, he is listed as an air mail pilot living in Boise, Idaho [Kay Air Transport]

    In La Grande, Oregon in July 1934, there was a grand parade celebrating "Progress". And there, to take up passengers were "Bob King and Lionel Kay, of the Kay Air Transport Co. of Boise, Idaho, with a big seven-passenger Travelair monoplane."

    "Kay has had six years with the United Air Lines" (strictly speaking, Varney Air Lines, which became part of United in 1930.) United was reorganised after the Air Mail Act of 1934, so perhaps this prompted Lionel to set up on his own.

    m. Dec 1932 Marjorie [Moore, later Davidson] (1 son, Peter, b. 1933)

    He then went to Peru in 1936 to fly for Compania de Aviacion Faucett. Here is his license:

    ata Lionel Kay Peru pilots licence with thanks to Nick Dunning

    His second wife, Anita Peral Kay, was of 'Spanish extraction' (divorced 1943, daughter Jane Faire b. 1939 in Lima, Peru)

     prev. exp. over 10,000 hrs 

    Address in 1940: 40 Main St, Randolf, NY

    Permit to leave USA granted 6 Nov 1940


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP, 8FPP, 14FPP

    Convicted for drunk driving in Sep-41

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 22 Oct 1941, his Dominie nosed over due to "inefficient use of brakes while taxying";

    - 4 Aug 1942, forced landing in a Fairchild after partial engine failure, and

    - Off sick from 23 Jan 1943 to 16 Nov 1943, after he crashed in a Whitley VII after engine failure due to lack of of fuel. He was assessed as being to blame for the accident.

    He allowed his contract to run down twice, but renewed it in Jan 1942 and Jun 1944.

    Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Grace Stevenson, John Yingst, Dorothy (Furey) Bragg and Mary (Zerbel) Hooper.

     "A very experienced and reliable pilot. He has rather a blunt manner."


      m. Jan 1944 Olga Mary 'Peggy'  [Mills, b. 16 Feb 1923 Ilford, Essex] (twin daughters Marvine and Marie b. Feb 1945 in Idaho)

     After ATA, sailed back to the USA with Olga on 24 Sep 1944, and then returned to Peru where Lionel worked for Faucett Airlines again until 1951, except for a visit they all made to Olga's father's house (1 Templars Ave, Golders Green, London NW11) in July1948.

    Also flew for airlines in Pakistan and India

    d. 5 Dec 1954  - died from a perforated ulcer on board the 'SS Steel Architect' when travelling from Calcutta to Wilmington, NC with Olga and his 3 daughters


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Kindberg, Harry John (Johan) Sixten

     M.646  Acting First Officer Harry John (Johan) Sixten Kindberg 
     flag sweden - > flag usa  b. 29 Dec 1911, Norrköping Ärberg, Sweden  6 Jul 1941 to 10 Jun 1942

     ata harry kindberg 1941 1941

         

     

    [Moved to USA in 1915; naturalized American 1936]

    Ed. Public School, Stanton, IA

    prev. a commercial pilot, City Ice and Fuel, St Louis

    prev. exp 425 hrs

    Address in 1941: 5741 Enright Ave, St Louis

    Next of kin: (sister) Mrs Gertie Keating, 4007 Delor St. St Louis, MO


    Postings: 4a FPP

    Off sick from 31 Jan to 10 Jun 1942 after he suffered a head wound in an accident:

    - 30 Jan 1942, he took off from the wrong runway, without permission, and his Magister struck a signal mast.

    Before his accident, a "reliable and conscientious pilot. Very quiet."

    Contract Terminated - Medical Grounds


    d. 14 Aug 1968 - Seattle, WA

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • King, Lawrence Sprague

      M.--  First Officer Lawrence Sprague King 

    flag usa

     b. 9 Feb 1896, Malden, Middlesex, MA Aug 1940 - 12 Sep 1940 

      ata lawrence king 1940 1940      

     

    m. 1922 Bernice [Lyles], 1 child

    Army Air Corps in WWI; "Sergeant King landed in France Sept 1918, but never saw active service owing to his immediate transfer to the officers training school at Camp de la Valbonne, France. He was recommended for a commission but the armistice was signed before any action was undertaken." [Marshall Messenger, 11 Mar 1919]

    Chief Pilot for National Airways, Detroit, from 1929 to 1931

    Address in 1940: 843 31st Ave, San Francisco

      

    After ATA, he and Gene Moraga "went to the aid of the British a second time, this time as an instructor with the Royal Canadian Air Force", [Oakland Tribune, 29 Oct 1940]

    ata lawrence king grave

    d. 8 Apr 1953, buried San Bruno CA

     

  • Kleaver, Kenneth Kelvin

     M.197 First Officer  Kenneth Kelvin Kleaver 

    flag usa

    b. 5 Jan 1908, Dunsmuir CA  9 Aug 1940 to 10 May 1941 

      ata ken kleaver 1940      

     

    Father: William Leonard Kleaver

    Ed. High School

    m. 1936 Mary Lee [Speight]

    USA Pilots Licence No 5639

    In 1929 he flew his grandfather "William Kleaver of Scott River" and his uncle H.J. Kleaver "Superintendent of Schools at Dunsmuir" on a air trip round Scott Valley and Marble Mountain.

    ata ken kleaver accident 1930

    "When pilot Ken Kleaver's motor quit cold 1,500 feet above Eureka, Calif., he was left no alternative but to land. Two nurses riding as passengers were uninjured when Kleaver picked a soft spot in the mud alongside a slough and gently nosed the ship over. Kleaver was not hurt. Here's the way they landed." Arizona Republic, 23 Nov 1930

    He then did barnstorming and stunt flying for the 'Crusading Flying Fleet', "well known transport flyers, who have thrilled many crowds with their feats of danger and daring. Also, they will carry aloft any passengers who are looking for thrills."

    By 1936 he owned one of only two Fokker C-2 Tri-motors in the USA, and offered 14 passengers a joyride from Bend Airport, Oregon in his '$92,000 airplane'.

    Address in 1940: Yreka, CA

    Postings: 1FPP, Hawarden, Ringway, 2FPP

    Suspended without pay for a week in Jan-41 for 'General Misdemeanour'

    He and Ralph Canning were nicknamed the 'California Prune Pickers' by their English counterparts.

    RAF Ferry Command from Apr 1942

    In 1956 he was reunited with a schoolfriend from Dunsmuir, Eugene Babb: "The human interest angle is that, in the meanwhile, both men have been girdling the globe many times over, Babb as skipper for various shipping companies, Kleaver as captain for airlines all over the world. Each had been in and out of the same port many times, unknown to each other."

    "Kleaver is the Calistoga representative for the Valley Chevrolet Company."

    d. 2 Jan 1962 - Shasta County, CA 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Klusek, Stanley Walter

     M.155 First Officer  Stanley Walter Klusek 

    flag usa

     b. 8 Jan 1911, Springfield IL  3 Oct 1940 to 31 Oct 1941 

           

     

    Father: Valentine Klusek (Polish)

    Ed: Bylac Grammar School

    Next of kin: (mother): Victoria Klusek

    Also had a brother, Louis, who lived at 1595 Odell St., Parkchester, Bronx, N.Y.

    prev. a pilot and automobile dealer. US Air Corps Reserve.

    Address in 1940: 2242 E Hamilton Ave, Springfield


    Postings: 3FPP

    1 accident, 18 Aug 1941, due to 'taxying in strong wind with insufficient care'

     In April 1941, he was a lunchtime speaker at a meeting organised by the Chamber of Commerce in Charleston; "Klusek returned from England a few days ago for a week's leave of absence, and left Springfield today for Canada whence he will fly bombers to England." He said that "superior ability in recruiting new pilots will be one of the strong factors which will enable England to win over Germany in the present war."

    Seconded to AtFero


    In 1942, after leaving the ATA, he was pilot of a "big ship" being delivered across the Pacific "for General MacArthur's forces to use in checking Japan's drive southward", when they hit a tropical storm near Oahu. His co-pilot said "Finally we found a hole and got down lower but there was nothing but water and believe me, there's lots of it between the United States and Australia." Eventually they landed but "did not have enough gasoline left to taxi off the runway."

    d. 2 Nov 1987 - Springfield

    ata stanley klusek grave findagrave.com

    Buried Cavalry Cemetery.

    "A resident of Dawson for 35 years, he was the president and founder of the Kluzek Industrial Empire Corp. in Dawson. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Buffalo; Elks Lodge 158; O.X. Five Aviation Pioneer Club; and the Silver Wings Fraternity of Aviation Pathfinders. He served as a captain in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 and ferried Liberator bombers across the Atlantic to England.  Surviving are three daughters, three sons, six grandchildren; one sister, four brothers, several nieces, nephews and cousins. "


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Kohn, Nathan Stolzer

     

     M.297 First Officer  Nathan Stolzer Kohn 
    flag usa  b. 31 Oct 1910, St Louis MO  11 Jan 1941 to 29 Jun 1942 

     

         

     

    Father: Wolfe Kohn (originally from Finland, a Banker); mother Fannie (American) from Tuscumbia, AL

    Ed. Vanderbilt University, New York University

    m. 1933 Edith [Koggan]; 2 children, David b. 1944 and Wolina

    prev. US Army 1930-34; Commercial Pilot - President of Jersey Air Service, Paterson NJ from 1936

    Address in 1941: 10-04 Bellaire Ave, Fair Lawn NJ

    A warrant for his arrest was issued in 1938 when he failed to appear in court. He was charged with operating an amusement concession without a ($50) license.

    "Mr Kohn has been in the Criminal Court, Hackensack NJ, twice in recent years: once when accused of obtaining $150 and an aeroplane from two Baltimore men in an aeroplane sale deal and again when he faced the same charge in relation to an alleged fire insurance loss."


     Arrived in the UK 28 Feb 1941

    Postings: 1FPP, 15FPP, 3FPP, 4bFPP, 14FPP, 4aFPP

    "A pilot of great ability with a high sense of duty, who is responsive to considerate treatment."

    Contract Terminated - Refused to carry out flying duties


    Later a Lt-Col in the USAAC Air Transport Command; post-WWII he was active in real estate and then founded an import-export business.

    d. 6 May 1966 (age 56) - Eaglewood, NJ

    "For a number of years, Mr Kohn had figured prominently in activities designed to aid the State of Israel get firmly established. He also helped lay the groundwork for the organization of its Air Force."

    He had "considerable financial holdings" in Israel, and in Cuba before Fidel Castro gained control; he once received a Bible from Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion for his work.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Kolendorski, Stanley Michel

     M.84 *  2nd Officer Stanley Michel 'Mike' Kolendorski 

    flag usa

      b. 24 Feb 1915, Jersey City 3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata stanley kolendorski 1941   ata stanley kolendorskihttp://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/240113   

     

    Father: Adam Kolendorski (American), mother: Katherine (Katy) (Polish)

    He "excelled in woodwork and other manual arts subjects, and learned to fly a plane while working as a 'grease monkey' at a field near his home. He moved to California, and became a pilot for an air service."

    m. 1938 Charlotte Mae [Reynolds]

    Address in 1940: Star Route, Lakehurst, NJ

    His wife was granted a divorce in Los Angeles on 3 Feb 1940, on the basis that he "spent most of his time at an airport and finally went to Canada to join the Royal Air Force."

     Travelled to Liverpool from Montreal on the 'Duchess of Bedford', arriving 10 August 1940.


    ATA Contract Terminated 3 Sep 1940 - Joined the RAF as part of the 'Eagle' squadron of American volunteer pilots.

    It sounds like Stanley carried on hoping for a reconciliation with Charlotte; on the 27 Oct 1940 "According to Stanley Kolendorski,of Lakehurst, NJ. the thrill of training to fire a shot for his ancestral Poland almost compensates for the threat of his wife to divorce him when he joined up. He is hoping she will reconsider her decision when she gets a picture of him in his British uniform - her picture, in her wedding dress, is the sole mural decoration of the little cubicle that is his exile bedroom tonight."

    Asbury Park Press, NJ, 21 May 1941 - "After receiving word that their son, Stanley, is missing after a flight from England during war operations [on the 17th May], Mr. and Mrs Adam Kolendorski are anxiously awaiting further word from the British Air Ministry to learn whether the youth is dead, a German prisoner or has returned safely."

    The full story emerged later.

    "After being scrambled early in the morning in Hurricane Mk IIb Z3186 (71 (Eagle) Squadron) to intercept Ju88's and He111's coming across the channel, at 20,000 ft they came across escorting Bf 109's of the II./JG 53 "Pik As" over the Thames Estuary.

    Mike Kolendorski turned his aircraft sharply to intercept a pair of Bf 109s, when a second pair opened fire on him. A warning was given over the R/T, but too late for Kolendorski. It would seem that he was killed in his cockpit as no attempt by him to bale out was observed. Other 'Eagle'-squadron pilots saw his aircraft crash land in the water and reported Stanley Michel Kolendorski KIA after they had returned to their airbase.

    F/O Kolendorski's body was washed ashore in the Netherlands on 13th August 1941 near 'Paal 16' at the beach of Rockanje / West-Voorne, Voorne Putten island, Zuidhollandse Eilanden region. His remains were buried at the General Cemetery "Maria Rust" in Rockanje, municipality of West-Voorne."

    18834392 1439278374 findagrave.com

    He is also one of 13 WWII and Korean War dead who are commemorated on the Asbury, NJ, War Memorial, dedicated in 1954.

    d. 17 May 1941 (age 26) 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Kraschel, Richard Nelson

     M.615*  First Officer Richard Nelson 'Dick' Kraschel 
     flag usa   b. 25 Jan 1919, Harlan, IA 7 Jul 1941 to 20 Jul 1942 

     ata richard kraschel

     ata richard kraschel 1942 1941    

     

     Father: Nelson G. Kraschel, former Governor of Iowa, mother Agnes

    Ed. Iowa State College, University of Colorado

    Learnt to fly in 1936 at Des Moines, IA

    prev. Instructor, Livingstone Airways, Waterloo, IA then USAAF Flight Instructor at Cimarron Field, Oklahoma City


    Dick joined the ATA when his parents were away on vacation. "I thought it would be easier if they didn't know my plans", he said.

    It turned out, however, that he needed his parents' permission anyway, so his mother (when she found out about it) flew to Montreal and gave the necessary consent.

    During his ATA Service, he ferried more than 60 types of planes, "losing 48lb in the process."

    "The work, the climate and the food sort of piled up on me and got me down", he said.


    Post-ATA, he joined the Bell Aircraft Co. as a test pilot on 14 Sep 1942, but was killed 29 May 1943 when his parachute failed to open after he bailed out of a test flight near Niagara Falls.

    ata richard kraschel grave findagrave.com

  • Lane, James Victor

     M.627  First Officer  James Victor 'Skippy' Lane Jr
     flag usa   b. 10 Feb 1915, Los Angeles CA

     18 Jul 1941 to 20 Jul 1942

    and

    14 Apr 1943 to 13 Apr 1945


      ATAM

         

     

    prev. an Operator of Motor Boats, and then a Flight Instructor for Dallas Aviation School, TX

     Address in 1941: PO Box 9695 Los Feliz Station, Los Angeles


    Postings: 6FPP, 4bFPP, 1FPP, 3FPP

    11 May 1942, Suspended for two days for "taking off down wind in (adverse weather)

    27 Sep 1943, Reprimanded for disobedience of airfield regulations at Litchfield

      

    6 accidents, 2 his fault: 

    - 7 Dec 1941, landed a Hurricane wheels-up after engine failure;

    - 11 Apr 1942, Commended for his prompt action when he force landed a Blenheim after he noticed signs of lubrication failure;

    - 30 Jun 1943, he made a single engine landing in a Blenheim IV after port engine failure;

    - 12 Dec 1943, when taking off in a Martlet the arrester hook dropped onto the runway; he abandoned the take-off but the aircraft swung and a wingtip was damaged. He had failed to check the arrester hook was locked.

    - 11 May 1944, he had to land his Thunderbolt wheels-up when the failure of a weld on the port undercarriage strut meant it got stuck in the 'up' position.

    - 30 Aug 1944, his Vengeance caught fire as it was landing, due to a filler cap coming adrift near the exhaust

     

    "A steady and capable pilot, and a good officer" "Always willing"

    m. 20 Feb 1943 in Calcutta, Constance Evelyn [Gibbon, b. 1904 in India]


    During the period July 1942 to April 1943, he flew 'The Hump' for CNAC (China National Aviation Corp.). see CNAC Captain James Lane

    Sailed back to the USA 18 Apr 1945, with Constance, and fellow ATA pilot Donald Richardson (M.575), his English wife and their son.

    m. 1953 Gladys Irene [Rupert]

    d. 12 Mar 1961 (age 46) - Los Angeles

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Laster-Anderson, Opal Pearl (W.88)

     W.88 First Officer   Opal Pearl Laster-Anderson
     flag usa   b. 17 Aug 1906, Fulton KY  10 Jun-42 to 9 Apr-45

     ata opal laster-anderson ATA

         

     

    Mother: Mrs Ada Thompson, 615 Pine St, Michigan, IN

    Ed. Lowell Grade School, Blow High School, St. Louis

    prev. a Flying Instructor [and a former hat designer (and allegedly striptease artist, although I think that was actually Bobby Sandoz, and anyway it's all very innocent)].

    prev. exp. over 2,100 hrs - she owned a "Clip Speed Wing Laird"

    m. Willard Anderson [divorced 1937, 1 son Norman Richard]

    Address in 1942: 202 So. State St, Chicago, IL


    Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP, 16FPP, 1FPP

    She sailed back on leave on the 21 Aug 1943, with Evelyn Hudson, Margaret Lennox, Roberta Sandoz Leveaux, and Catharine van Doozer.

    ata opal laster anderson and norman 1943 2

    "Little Norman Anderson of Chicago welcomes home his mother, Opal Laster Anderson, 37, after a 14-month absence abroad with the ATA." - Ludington Daily News, Sep 1943

     "My most harrowing experience occurred last month in England when a bomber I was flying suddenly shot straight up into the air. I knew that two test pilots had been killed thru just such a plane reaction, and the experience I have gleaned thru years of showmanship in barnstorming, plus plain good luck, is all that saved me."

    Reprimanded for "Breach of ATA Standing Orders G.4 and G.12" in 1943

     Frankie Francis, her CO, described her as "a very keen and hardworking pilot who is boisterous in temperament. A good officer but perhaps a little apt to speak and act without thought for possible consequences."

    Norman Whitehurst said "Flying and discipline are both good. A keen and enthusiastic worker who is helpful and kind."

    On her final day with the ATA, 9 April 1945, she ferried a Mosquito from 192 Sqn, Foulsham to 44MU, Edzell, and a Dakota from Ratcliffe to Kemble.

    She later said "England is the worst place in the world to fly. The roads read like a bunch of snakes."


    Post-WWII, Opal moved to Ontario in 1951, worked in Hollywood as a hat maker and also for General Dynamics in Pomona, continued to fly until the 1970s and then renovated aircraft and pony carts in California.

    m. 1962 Malcolm Averitt [divorced 1970)

     d. 8 Jan 1994 - Ontario, Canada

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Laudeman, James Harvey

     M.--- 2nd Officer  James Harvey Laudeman 

    flag usa

      b. 5 Mar 1901, Lees Summit, Jackson Co, Missouri 13 Aug 1940 to 30 Sep 1940 

      ata james laudeman 1940 1940      

     

    Private in US Army in WWI

    m. 1931 Margaret 'Bessie' Clara [Mitchell]

    prev. Operations Manager and Airline Pilot

    Address in 1940: 5018 Bryan St, Dallas, TX

    "James Laudeman, Texas flier who has been in the ferry service of the Royal Air Force in England will speak at the Tuesday night meeting on current phases of the air conflict between Britain and Germany." Dallas Morning News; 15 Dec 1940

    Returned to New Orleans from Honduras, 5 Dec 1941 (ie 2 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor)

    d. 7 Oct 1946 from cerebral hemorrhage - found unconscious on a sidewalk near his hotel in Galveston, TX. 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Lee, Philip Francis

     M.228  First Officer Philip Francis Lee, Jr 

    flag usa

    b. 14 Dec 1905, Baltimore, MD  17 Aug 1940 to Aug-41 

      ata philip lee  ata philip lee 2 ATA    

     

    Learnt to fly in 1928, then was an airline pilot, circus joy-ride pilot and instructor.

    prev. exp. 1,150hrs

    Address in 1940: Dayton, OH

    Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP

    Seconded to Atfero 20 Mar 1941

    He was offered an extension to his 1-yr contract, but declined: "It is purely a matter of finances as I have enjoyed working for your organisation."


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 14 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - one of four ATA pilots, travelling as passengers, amongst the 22 killed in the crash of Liberator AM260. Others were Elbert Anding (M.316), Buster Trimble (M.112) and Martin Wetzel.

    The cause of the crash was that "the pilot in command [Cpt Richard Charles Stafford of BOAC] started the take off procedure from runway 06 which was not suitable for the takeoff as it was too short for such aircraft."

     nell cole lee

    Philip's widow Nell Cole Lee was also, like Mrs Anding, convinced that BOAC or Atfero was responsible by negligence for his death, and in fact threatened to sue them for damages. The situation was not cleared up until 1943, when the British Government agreed to provide her with an ex-gratia payment of $8,000, of which $2,000 was invested for her 2 children (Helen Cole Lee and Francis, who was born after Philip's death).

    She then wrote, "May I offer you my sincere thanks and appreciation for the grant. While it is true that the death of my husband did not leave me in dire straits, it is also true that my children will not have all the advantages in life that they would have had had he lived."

    The official ATA report summed it up in November 1944: "Thus, a case which had developed a very unpleasant atmosphere, and might well have left an unhealed focus of bitter anti-British sentiment, was concluded on an entirely satisfactory note." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey  download grey

     

  • Lemons, William Brewer

     M.410  First Officer William 'Buck' Brewer Lemons II 
    flag usa b. 23 Oct 1917, Cleveland, Mississippi  17 Mar 1941 to 24 Dec 1942 

     ata william lemons 1944 2 1944

         

     

    Mother: Lulie Bell Lemons, father dec'd

     prev. Crop Dusting for Finkles Bros. Dusting Co. in Leland, MS and Aero Crop Dusters in Avon Park, Florida

    Address in 1940: Box 704, Belle Glade, Palm Beach FL


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 16FPP, 4aFPP

    Suspended for 1 week in November 1941;

    Suspended for 7 days for Low Flying over Carlisle, in Sep 1942

    2 accidents, neither his fault;

    - 1 Mar 1942, he ran into a snow bank when landing a Spitfire in slippery conditions, and

    - 16 Nov 1942, the starboard inner engine of his Fortress failed, but he landed successfully on the remaining three.

     "Has proved to be satisfactory as a pilot, but has a poor sense of discipline"

    "Since his arrival at this Pool (16FPP) he has carried out his duties well and is now showing a creditable sense of discipline."

    Sailed back to the USA on the "Queen Elizabeth" on 25 Jan 1943 with fellow ferry pilots Howard L Cooper (M.512), Robert F Sliker (b. 1904 in Morrisroe NJ), Andrew J Burke (b. 1902 in Bonham Texas), Nelson E Brown (b. 1921 in Guilford, PA), Raymond P Hoover (M.345)


    He was engaged to a Miss Isobel Swift in April 1943; "Miss Swift was associated with Pan-American Airways"...

    ... however...

    m. 24 Jun 1944 Carol 'Tootsie' [Bryant] of Dearborn, MI, the grand-niece of Henry Ford

    ata william lemons 1944

    William was "a test pilot at Henry Ford's Willow Run bomber plant"

     They moved to Winter Haven, FL in 1958.

    d. 12 Jan 1979 (age 61) - Winter Haven, FL. "He was a former Winter Haven City Commissioner"

    His son David (b. 1947) earned his solo flying license at the age of 16 in his father's J-3 Cub and became an airline pilot for Pan American and then Alaska Airlines, retiring in 2007.

    Carol d. 2012, David in 2013


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Lennox, Margaret Elizabeth (W.84)

     W.84 First Officer   Margaret Elizabeth 'Peggy' Lennox
     flag usa  b. 24 Jan 1906, Chicago 10 Jun-42 to 30 Nov-45 

     ata peggy lennox CB CB

     ata peggy lennox 1943 1943    

     

    Father: William James Lennox (b. 1876 in Canada), Mother Grace 'Annie' [Arnold]

    Ed. Lakewood High, Cleveland School of Art, Western Reserve University, New School for Social Research

    prev: Art teacher, Model, Secretary, Flight Instructor in the CAA Flight Training Program at Providence RI, and Dallas, TX

    m. 5 Jan 1933 in John Albertsen [a "horseman", b. Denmark] in Ripley, Chautauqua County, NY [divorced]

    Address in 1942: 301 37th St, St Petersburg, FL

    Peggy featured in this advertisement for Camel cigarettes in 1942, which appeared in literally hundreds of different newspapers throughout the USA:

    ata peggy lennox camels advert

    "Don't Let those eyes and that smile fool you. When this young lady starts talking airplanes, brother, you'd listen .. Yes, and with Instructor Peggy Lennox, it's strictly Camels, too - the flier's favorite. "Mildness is a rule with me", she explains,"That means Camels. There's less nicotine in the smoke" **

    One of her students said "Miss Lennox is always patient, never gets sore, but boy, is she exacting! Every manoeuver has to be done just right before you learn anything else."

     Arrived from Nova Scotia on the 29 June 1942 with fellow ATA women pilots Una Goodwin and Mary Zerbel

    After her time in the ATA, she sailed back to New York on the 'Queen Elizabeth' on 2 Dec 1945, with Roberta (and one-year old Guy) Leveaux, James MacCallum, Ann Wood and Gilman 'Ben' Warne.

    Post-WWII, Peggy won the Montreal to Miami All-women Air Race in 1949, then in 1951 she finished first in the 986-mile All-Women International Air Race from Orlando, Florida, to Windsor, Ontario.

    ata peggy lennox 1951 Peggy in 1951, after finishing first

    m. George B Firkal (a musician, divorced 1957)

    m. Dec 1961 Wallace Jutten Drown in Duval, FL

    Recipient of the Silver Wings Award in 1979, celebrating her 50 years of flying and "helping to break sex discrimination barriers for pilots and instructors"

    Later owned apartments and stores in Fort Lauderdale, FL., and was known to fly prospective clients for a bird's eye view of the land.  "I stay with flying because once you get it in your blood, you're never the same", she said.

     d. Jun 1985 - Fort Lauderdale

    ** Please don't take this as an encouragement to smoke Camels, or any other Camelidae (e.g. llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, or guanacos.).

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Lindsay, Robert W

     M.570 (2)  First Officer Robert W. 'Bob' Lindsay Jr 

    flag usa

     b. 29 May 1921, Graham, TX 14 May 1941 to 13 May 1942 

     ata bob lindsay 1940 1940

         

      Father Robert W 'Bobby' Lindsay [d. 1943]; Mother Nora Etta [Fiscus] (m. 1944 W R Parrish)

    Ed. Peacock Military Academy, San Antonio

    His parents moved from Wichita Falls in 1936 and owned the Lindsay Gardens citrus packing plant, and the Lindsay-Niles canning plant in Mission.

    prev. Crop Dusting

    prev. exp. 400 hrs "most of them flying his family's Howard cabin plane"

    Address in 1941: Lindsay Gardens, Mission Hidalgo, TX 


     Postings: 3FPP, 8FPP, 4aFPP, 1FPP

    He travelled to the UK as co-pilot in a B-24; "My job is to keep the engines in line and I will only fly about four hours as solo pilot".

    1 Accident, his fault:

    - 26 Sep 1941, he tried to take off in a Proctor with the brakes on, and tipped it onto its nose.

    He wrote to his parents in November 1941, "praising the English and their spirit, saying "They don't any more expect Hitler to take England than we do for him to take one of our cities."


    After ATA, Bob joined the US Ferry Command.

    Later a Lieutenant in the 10th Air Force in Burma, awarded the DFC and Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

     ata robert lindsay grave

    d. 12 Apr 1977 (age 55) - Reno, TX


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Livermore, Thomas Leonard

     M.246  First Officer Thomas Leonard 'Tom' Livermore Jr 

    flag usa

     b. 18 Oct 1908, Telluride, CO  14 Sep 1940 to 1 Feb 1942 

     ata tom livermore 1929 1929  ata thomas livermore ATA

       ATAM

    March 1941

     

     

    Next of Kin: (mother)  Sibyl/Sibbel H B Livermore, 667 South Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL

    Father d. 1935

    Ed. Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville GA, and Sarasota High

    prev. Crop Dusting pilot

    Co-pilot of the Curtiss Robin 'Sealdsweet', which attempted (several times) to establish a 100-hour refuelling endurance flight record in 1929.. They refuelled from another Curtiss Robin named the 'Mor-Juce', but a series of mechanical problems meant they eventually abandoned the attempt.

    prev. exp. 2400 hrs, "practically all on medium and heavy aircraft. Has a commercial pilot's license."

    m. 1934 Carline [Whitney], 1 daughter Barbara b. 1936


     Postings: 6FPP

    1 accident, his fault:

    - 26 Feb 1941, he landed his Whitley at the wrong aerodrome and struck an obstruction when taking off again.

     "Smooth and accurate in the air. Is very fine type."

    Seconded to AtFero 15 Mar 1941


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

     d. 14 Oct 1942 (age 33) in a Liberator crash after taking off from Trinidad. The plane had mistakenly taken off on the emergency fuel tanks only, and all engines stopped after the plane had climbed a few hundred feet.

    Accepted for commemoration on the Ottowa Memorial in 2018.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Lloyd, Leland Cooper

     M.--- * First Officer  Leland Cooper Lloyd 
     flag usa  b. 20 Aug 1912, Houston, Texas 23 Mar to 28 Sep 1941 

     

         

     

    Father: Everett Cooper Lloyd, Mother: Nellie Fredericka

     prev. Petrolagar Laboratories, Chicago, Illinois; test pilot for North American Aviation; 'stunt pilot'

    ? m. 1934 in Texas, Katherine [Thiel]

     

    Address in 1940: 647½ Main Ave, San Antonio, TX

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

     

    "Scar - 3in diameter - right arm"

    Arrived in the UK on 28 April 1941, as did Raymond Sylvester Allen


     Postings: ---

     

    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command


    He was co-pilot of a B-25 that became uncontrollable over Platte County, Kansas, on the night of 18 Jul 1942. The crew of 3 parachuted to safety, Leland fracturing his heel.

    m. 16 Apr 1943 in Clay, Missouri, Alice Genevieve [Heil]

     

     Hudson 4

    d. 6 Aug 1943 in the crash of Hudson VI EW898 at Martintown, Ontario, Canada during a training flight. All 3 on board were killed; they were attempting a forced landing after fire broke out.

     Commemorated at Mission Burial Park SouthSan AntonioBexar CountyTexas


    * - File not yet seen

  • Lofgren, James Eric

     M.310 First Officer   James Eric Lofgren

    flag england

     ->

    flag usa

     b. 18 Jun 1912, Birmingham, England  

    24 Jan 1941 to 28 Jan 1942

    and

    8 Jul 1943 to 23 Sep 1943


     ata jim lofgren 1932 1932

      ATAM    

     

    Father: Charles Paul Lofgren (originally Swedish), a travelling salesman (Music Tuition); Mother  Gertrude A [Payne or Moore], (English).

    The family (including their 5 children) moved to New Jersey in January 1917.

    Ed. Detroit, North Western High School

    He was shipwrecked when on a boar-hunting trip in 1932 and the 7 crew and passengers spent 3 days marooned on Santa Cruz Island, about 30 miles off the California coast.

    prev. Private in US Army Reserve 1931-35; Air Line Pilot for Transportes Aereos Centro Americanos (TACA) in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicuragua, San Salvador, Guatemala, USA, Canada and Honduras.

    prev. exp. 1650 hrs

    Address in 1941: 2716 S Willard Ave, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA; later 805 N 2nd St., Alhambra CA

    Exempt from US Draft 'due to previous military experience'.


     Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP, 16FPP

    Suspended for 2 days from 4 Jul 1941 for 'Refusal to obey orders'

    2 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 13 Jul 1941, his Swordfish lost its tail wheel;

    - 16 Dec 1941, his Anson hit an iron stake while taxying.

    Oct-41: "A good pilot who carries out all his work well. Would be a greater asset to the pool if he was more cheerful and cooperative"

    Dec-41: "As above, except that he is now a more cheerful and therefore pleasanter member of the pool."

    Flew to New York on a TWA flight 16 May 1943.

    After ATA, sailed back to the US on the "Queen Mary" on 29 Sep 1943.


    Address in 1948: Majorca Ave, Miami, FL, when he was a pilot for Skyways International.

    d. 22 Apr 1959 (age 46) - Orange Co, CA 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Lord, Frederic Ives

     M.363 * First Officer  Frederic Ives Lord 

     flag usa > flag UK

     b. 18 Apr 1897, Manitowoc, WI  21 Apr 1941 to 20 Apr 1943

    ata frederic lord 1917

    As a Captain in the RFC, 1917

     ata frederic lord 1941 1941

    "Recognised as one of the greatest of US World War aces with 12 victories, Major Lord holds the DFC and Bar, the Croix de Guerre, the Order of St. Anne, the Order of St. Stanislaus and the White Army Medal."

    Briefly, he:

    - left home at 16 and joined the state militia on the Mexican border, then

    - Joined the RFC, renouncing his US Citizenship to do so, and was credited with shooting down 12 German aircraft (although he later told people it was 22) and one balloon. In one engagement, he single-handedly attacked 20 German planes, shot down two and scattered the rest;

    - he then went north into Russia to lead a squadron fighting near Archangel in the Russian Civil War, at one stage "blasting the enemy with empty whisky bottles";

    - he then "killed time" by fighting for the Government in the Mexican Revolution of 1921 and from then until 1932 he barnstormed in the US with a flying circus.

    - He then fought for the Chinese Government against the Japanese in Shanghai and Peiping;

    - 3 years later he was fighting for the Government in Honduras,

    - And in 1937, [of course], he fought in the Spanish Civil War against German and Italian air forces.

     He then operated a flying school for a few years, but found it "pretty dull" and tried to rejoin the RAF when WWII broke out, but they obviously felt that the ATA was a more sensible place for a 47-year-old pilot.


    d. 21 Jul 1967 (age 70): he was murdered in Apple Valley, CA.

    He was found in a desert cabin belonging to Norval Elma Austin, which "was a shambles, with broken bottles all over the floor, giving every indication of a struggle." 

    The body was identified by his wife. She later said that Frederic was physically unable to do much work around the house, and had hired Norval to do yardwork and other heavy chores, but had fired him "several times".

    Norval was arrested 2 days later, and found guilty of second-degree murder in 1968. He died in 1982.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic_Ives_Lord

  • Lowman, Paul Liefer

     M.241  First Officer Paul Liefer Lowman 

    flag usa

      b. 27 Dec 1913, Fort Wayne Indiana 5 Dec 1940 to 4 Dec 1941 

     ata paul lowman ATA  

     

    ata paul lowman 2 findagrave.com

       

     

    Father: Wilbur W Lowman, mother Blanche C [Liefer, later m. Walter Ross]

    Ed. Warsaw High School, IN

    Next of Kin: (Mother) Mrs W S Ross, Winona Lake, Kosciusko, IN

    prev. Airline Pilot and Instructor, but also...

    ata paul lowman 1938 Paul and Jerry II

    In 1937, as "Winona Lake's Lion Tamer", he rode a surfboard behind a speedboat with a lion called Jerry. However, when Jerry I died, he tried taming a new younger one, which didn't go so well; Paul needed four stitches in a wound in his neck the lion gave him when they opened the cage. Jerry II then escaped, twice, terrorised the local residents and demolished a gift shop. "Owner Lowman is now looking for someone who would like a nice pet lion."

    By 1940 he was a self-employed Painting Contractor.

    He was fined $5 for reckless flying over Mentone, IN in Sep 1940.


    Arrived in the UK 15 Jan 1941

    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    Off sick from 2 to 18 Sep 1941 with "orthopaedic derangement" of knee

     1 accident, not his fault:

    - 2 Oct 1941, he successfully made a precautionary landing in a Mohawk after a starter gasket blew.

    "A keen and hard working pilot" "Carried out his duties satisfactorily"


    m. 1943 Barbara June [Sherman] (2 daughters, 1 son) [d. 2004]

    Later joined RAF Ferry Command then post-WWII he was a pilot with National Airlines Inc. of Florida from 1952, having given the ATA as a reference.

    ata paul lowman 1963 

    1963, landscaping his garden at 5950 SW 104th St, Miami.

    d. 9 Dec 2002 (age 89) in Miami, FL, after a long ilness (Parkinson's).

    "Paul's great love of flying kept him going until 72. His last was a glider plane."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Lussier, Betty Ann (W.103*)

     W.103 * 3rd Officer  Betty Ann Lussier 
     flag usa  +  flag canada  b. 20 Dec 1921, Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada 11 Nov 1942 to 28 Apr 1943

     betty lussier ata

         

     

    Father: Emile John Lussier DFC [b. Illinois, RAF in WWI, Squadron Leader in the RCAF in WWII] 

    Mother Vera [Fleming, Canadian]

    Her father's parents were born in France and England, her mother's parents were American and Canadian.

    The family moved to Rock Hall, Maryland in 1924, where they ran a dairy farm.

    Ed. Rock Hall High, Washington College, University of Maryland

    She and her sister Nita competed in the 1940 and 1942 South Atlantic Association Outdoor Swimming championships for the 'Kings of Columbus' team; Betty won the 100m breaststroke race both times, and was third in the 220 yd freestyle in which Nita came second.

    ata betty and nita lussier 1942 Nita, 18, and Betty aged 20

    She learnt to fly under the Civilian Pilots Training program.

    prev. exp 240hrs

    ata betty lussier 1942 1942

    Betty and Nita both wrote to Jackie Cochran in Mar 1942 hoping to join the ATA but were rejected; Nita joined the RCAF Women's Division instead, but Betty built up her flying hours and then used her Canadian birth to volunteer directly as a British citizen.

     Address in 1942: 815 North Charles St, Baltimore MD


    Postings: 5FPP

    She wrote a series of articles for the Baltimore Sun during her time with the ATA. One, called 'Wartime England from the Sky'  describes a delivery flight. It ends:

    "Slowly the coast began to take shape... There was the Channel with its foaming breakers rolling in upon a gray-white beach. Several rugged cliffs added that painted-there-on-purpose look to the scenery. In between two of those imposing cliffs my destination aerodrome sprawled like a lazy spider stretching out its legs. I glanced once more at the quiet green countryside, the calm, blue sky, the monotonous rolling waves and throttled back to land in the midst of the bustling activity of England at war."

    ATA Total flying hours: 197, on Tiger Moth, Magister, Master, Hart, Fairchild, Auster.

    [Resigned to join OSS]


    Post-ATA, a member of US OSS (Office of Strategic Services) - X2 counter-espionage unit, analysing messages from German units. She also helped to establish a network of undercover agents to spread misinformation in Algeria, Italy, Sicily and France.

    Her fiance, Lt. Charles Thomas Chittum USAAF, was killed in a car accident in July 1943.

    m. 1945 in France, Ricardo Sicre aka Richard Sickler, USAAF, also ex-OSS (4 sons) (divorced 1975)

    Post-WWII, Special Correspondent of the Baltimore Sun, living in France.

    Wrote:

    Amid my Alien Corn (1957);

    'One Woman Farm (1959);

    'Intrepid Woman: Betty Lussier's Secret War, 1942-1945' (2010)

    ['Intrepid Woman' is an interesting account of her time with the ATA and OSS.

    Unfortunately, it has a few passages where Betty has clearly mis-remembered the events. For example, in April 1943 (just before she left the ATA) she says that her classmate and friend, "Tanya" met her death. "It was an ugly end for vivacious Tanya, with her long blond hair, her cornflower-blue eyes, and her sunny nature. The engine of the Oxford she was to deliver cut out on takeoff. She had no speed to do a dead-stick, straight-ahead emergency landing. The Oxford went engine first into the ground and exploded." 

    Apart from the fact that an Oxford has two engines, Taniya Whittall (who was indeed a classmate of Betty's) was still alive until April 1944, and did not die in an Oxford, but as a passenger in a Lancaster. Betty may have mixed up Taniya with Irene Arckless, who died in an Oxford accident in January 1943.

    Betty then describes a fellow pilot cadet: "Another American pilot, Betty McDougall, was accompanying me. She was one of the "older women" whom Jackie Cochran had brought over from the States". Not quite right; Elizabeth Anderson Macdougall (also a classmate of Betty's) was Scottish, and had joined the ATA independently.

    Betty also says she left the ATA in April 1943 because she was told she would not be allowed to fly to Europe after D-Day, and describes the build-up of forces ready for the invasion; the problem here is that, a) when she left the ATA, the (June 1944) invasion was not even agreed, let alone planned in any detail or resourced, and b), the person who decided that women were not to be allowed to fly to Europe (which they eventually did, actually) was Trafford Leigh-Mallory, who didn't take up his post until August 1943.]

    In 2008, at the time that Gordon Brown presented medals to the surviving members of the ATA, she said "They paid us the same as men and advanced and promoted us just as if we were real citizens. It was the first time I saw equality with men, and that really amazed me."

    d. 30 Nov 2017 - Rock Hall, MD

  • Makepeace, Paul Bleecker

     M.394  First Officer  Paul Bleecker Makepeace
    flag usa  b. 9 Dec 1915, New York 20 Mar 1941 to 19 Mar 1942 

     ata paul makepeace ATA

         

     

    Next of kin: (parents) Mrs & Mrs Frank B Makepeace, Cos Cob, CT

     Ed. Greenwich High School, CT

    prev. 3 yrs as Sgt in US National Guard 211 Coast Artillery Div.; Company Pilot for Sinclair Oil Co. in Caracas, Venezuela

    Address in 1941: 157 E 81 St, NYC


     Postings: 14FPP, 9FPP, 6FPP

    2 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 7 Sep 1941, his Spitfire hit a control box due to him taxying without sufficient care;

    - 30 Jan 1942, he skidded in Spitfire BL751 on landing, and nosed over. Kemble airfield had been signalled as unserviceable due to ice, but the signal did not arrive before he took off on the delivery flight.

    "A very competent pilot and a good officer."


    Joined RAF Ferry Command

    d. 17 Jan 1943 (age 27), one of 26 lost in C-87 (Liberator Express) 41-1708 which disappeared between Accra and Brazil.

    Commemorated on the Ottowa Memorial


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Marcus, Jack Allen

     M.543  2nd Officer Jack Allen Marcus 

    flag usa

    b. 30 Sep 1909, Kansas City MO  22 May 1941 to 29 Aug 1941 

     

         

     

    father: Aaron (dec'd), mother Leah (or Ada)

    ed.  Lathrop Trades, Kansas City

    moved to New Orleans c. 1928

    m. Katharine [san Salvador]; 1 daughter [Kathleen Mary] b. 1940

    prev. a charter pilot for Crescent City Airways, New Orleans

    prev. exp. 1,800 hrs

    Address in 1941: 1140 Toledano St, New Orleans, Louisiana

    Postings: Training Pool Only


    lysander iwm

    d. 29 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service), in Lysander T1675. He flew too far into bad weather and hit a hillside at New Luce, nr. Castle Kennedy, Scotland. He was also carrying a passenger (against regulations, as he was still a trainee), LAC Costine from the RAF.

    He was assessed as being to blame for the accident.

    Buried Glebe Cemetery, Stranraer:

    ata jack marcus funeral 3  ata jack marcus funeral 4

     ata jack marcus funeral 1 ata jack marcus funeral 2

    "2nd Officer Marcus was of a cheerful and engaging disposition and had many friends during his comparatively short period of service with ATA."

    His daughter Kathleen was born 11 months before Jack's death. His wife Katharine "made no spontaneous appeal for financial assistance", so the ATA asked the Red Cross to see if she needed any.

    As it turned out, she did; Jack's death had left her living with her mother-in-law (who was in poor health) and unable to work because of the baby, on the $50 a month Social Security (Survivor's Insurance), of which she gave her mother-in-law $25.

    The ATA decided to award her the full £2,000 ($8,000) insurance money, with half of it being invested in long-term US War Bonds for the benefit of the baby.

    Katharine wrote to the ATA on 4 Jul 1942, "I am happy to inform you that I am in complete accord with your plan and most grateful for your generosity."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Marine, John Howard

     M.402 First Officer  John Howard 'Jack' Marine 
     flag usa   b. 26 Nov 1904, Yuma, AZ 25 Feb 1941 to 19 Aug 1941 

     ata john marine ATA

         

     

    Father: Rufus Howard Marine; Mother: Aletha Myrtle [Coffin] of Yarnell AZ

    Ed. Arizona Staff Teachers College, Flagstaff AZ

    prev. US Air Corps 1926-27. Flight Instructor for US Army Dec 1940 - Feb 1941; also a Sound Engineer for Theatres.

    Employer in 1940: Major Mosley, Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, CA

    m.1930 Bertie Mae [Gist]

    m. 18 Feb 1932 Naomi [Potter]

    Address in 1941: Phoenix, AZ


    Postings: 2FPP

    Off sick from 27 Jun(?) to 19 Aug 1941 with an eye injury after an accident. "One of his eyes was injured by shrapnel during a flight off the English Coast, when he was attacked by two Messerschmitts", according to the Arizona Republic. The circumstances of the accident were not recorded by the ATA.


     ata john marine grave

    Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 21 Feb 1942 when his A-20 Boston crashed into the Potomac River, Washington DC.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Marthai, William Simpson

     M.922  2nd Officer William Simpson Marthai 
     flag usa b. 29 Sep 1914, Brooklyn, New York   1 Apr 1943 to 31 Aug 1944

     ata william marthai 1934 1934

         

     

     

    Ed. New York City School

    m. Natahalee W [Harkness] (divorced 1973, although they are still listed as Associates in the 'Breakwater Yacht Brokerage' in Santa Barbara, CA in 1978))

    prev. Bermuda Volunteer Rifles; RAF Jan to July 1942; Commercial & Aerial Photography

    In 1940, employed by the Brewster Aeronautical Corp, Newark, NJ

    prev. exp. 191 hrs in Tiger Moth, Stinson, Fleet, Luscombe

    Address in 1943: 12102½ Hoffman St, N Hollywood, CA


    Ab Initio Cadet

    Postings: 5FPP, 4FPP, 10FPP

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 22 Feb 1944, Commended for a forced landing (although he did damage a wingtip) in a Proctor II after there was an explosion in the engine.


    Later worked in real estate in Los Angeles, then settled in Santa Barbara, CA

    d. 5 Jul 2001 (age 86), in a Santa Barbara nursing home, 'Beverly La Cumbre' after an infection caused by a feeding tube being improperly inserted. The nursing home later paid out $2 million in damages.

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • McAlister, Walter Bowman

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Walter Bowman McAlister 

    flag usa

      b. 24 Jan 1901, Jackboro, Texas 14 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

            

      Ed. 3 years of college

    m. [divorced 1939]

    prev. Pilot for Southern Air Transport "on the Dallas-Brownsville run"

    Address in 1940: 830 Schley Ave, San Antonio, TX

    "McAlister was in London during several German air raids. He was cut on the head by a piece of flying shrapnel from an anti-aircraft gun. The railroad station by which he was leaving the city had its roof blown away. 'We looked up and could actually see the bombs coming. I just knew one had my name on it, but the nearest one landed a block away." 26 Nov 1940.

    Joined AtFero?

    Drafted into US Military 26 Aug 1942

    d. 18 Apr 1950 - Fort Worth, TX 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • McCarthy, Justin William

     M.---  2nd Officer  Justin William McCarthy

    flag usa

     b. 7 Nov 1919, Denver CO 27 May 1941 to 24 Dec 1941 

     ata justin mccarthy 1938 1938

         

     

    Mother: Emma

     Address in 1941: 1452 Elizabeth, Denver 


     Transferred to RAF Ferry Command


    Sailed from Scotland to USA on 16 Jun 1942

    In January 1947, he was arrested for 'terrorizing wealthy women' and being a gem and fur robber to the tune of $75,000:

    Described as a "former ferry pilot turned limousine highwayman", he had kidnapped three women in Park Ave, New York on New Year's Eve, drove them around and then robbed them of their furs and jewelry.

    :ata justin mcCarthy trial 1947

     ata justin McCarthy 1947

    "Down to less than 100 pounds and wrapped in a blanket, Justin William McCarthy, 26, Park Ave. gem and fur robber, sat in a detention cell on the 12th Floor of the Criminal Courts Building yesterday."

    By the following June, suffering from dysentry contracted in North Africa during WWII, he was too sick to appear in court. "I just want to get this thing all over with", he said.

    The judge ordered the prisoner transferred to Riker's Island where he could have special medical treatment. 

    He was sentenced to '10 to 20 years' in 1948.

    d 10 Oct 1998 - Denver CO

  • McCory, Everitt Vandaver

     M.---  2nd Officer Everitt Vandaver McCory 

    flag usa

     b. 20 Jul 1906, Boulder, Colorado

    16 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940

     

     

            

     

     Next of kin: (mother) Mrs Esther Spath of Nunn, Colorado

    m. 1933 Mabel Irene [Boyd]

    Address in 1940: 1446 Western Ave, Glendale CA

    ATA Contract Terminated 12 Sep 1940 - Unsuitable

    d. 4 Nov 1978 - Los Angeles CA

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • McDonald, John Avery

     M.92  Captain John Avery McDonald 

    flag usa

     b. 6 Jan 1911, Boone, Indiana  17 Aug 1940 to 8 Sep 1942 

     ata john mcdonald no frame  https://www.geni.com/people/Major-John-McDonald/35533      

     

    Ed. High School

    prev. Radio Engineer, "President of Associated Enterprises Ltd."

    Address in 1940: 7845 Forest Ave E, Detroit, MI


    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 6FPP (as Second-in-Command)

    "A good and efficient pilot and officer"

    "Is thoughtful about other pilots and takes a personal interest in them."


    d. 24 Oct 1957 [age 46] - Dillon, Montana

    Buried at SheridanHamilton CountyIndiana

    "Born near Sheridan, Indiana, Mr. McDonald served with the Canadian Royal Air Force [sic] in WWII until after Pearl Harbor when he joined the United States Air Force serving overseas as a major. He was employed in an appliance shop in Dillon."

    "He is survived by the widow, Bettina McDonald, three sons and one daughter, all at home, and one son by a former marriage." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • McFarland, Stephen William

     M.537 2nd Officer  Stephen William McFarland 

    flag usa

     b. 6 Mar 1918, Mt. Vernon, OH  1 May 1941 to Sep-41

     ata stephen mcfarland ATA

         

     prev. a Flight Instructor and commercial pilot


     miles master bw

     d. 3 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Master AZ324 crashed into the sea at Terally Point, 2 miles N of Dronmore, Scotland.

    And then A Small Surprise Emerged

    ata stephen mcfarland jr

    young Stephen Raymond Lambert McFarland

    The American Red Cross in Mount Vernon, Ohio, reported that they had seen Stephen's mother Anna; "we had previously been informed by a member of our committee that we could rely on any statements she would make, she was that kind of a person".

    nancy ann mcfarland

    Anna

    from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hhickman/p271.htm

    Anna told the Red Cross that she and Fred (Stephen's father) had been contacted by an English girl - Frona 'Daisy' Lambert, who told them she had met Stephen when she was a 'canteen hostess' in London. They became fond of each other "and - well - a baby was soon on the way."

    Stephen had not known she was pregnant: "About that time Stephen became acquainted with another girl and saw a great deal of her. Miss Lambert was proud and did not hunt Stephen up to tell of her condition". After the baby was born (on the 14th March 1942) she wrote to him, not knowing that he had been killed.

    "Miss Lambert is most anxious to keep the baby with her and find some way to solve her problems... Her mother is dead and her father has more or less disowned her since she became an unwed mother."

    Stephen's parents wanted Daisy to bring the baby (who, they said, bore a strong resemblance to Stephen) to live in Mount Vernon. They would, they said, "plan to have her known as their son's widow" and look after her and the baby, to the best of their limited resources. Anna wrote to Daisy: "We are surely glad about the baby but sorry you did not tell Steve as we are sure he would of made everything alright with you and been proud of his son."

    All was then arranged; the only serious qualms felt by the McFarlands were "in regard to Miss Lambert's name. Their wish is to introduce the girl as their late son's widow, which will be difficult if she does not bear his name." They wondered if it would be possible for Daisy to change her surname to McFarland? This was "owing to their fear that complications and unpleasantness might arise in a small farming community, having a somewhat rigid moral outlook."

    Indeed it was possible, and Daisy and Stephen Raymond changed their name to McFarland in May 1943. The ATA Benevolent Fund agreed an ex-gratia payment of $3,000 to Mr and Mrs McFarland, and $3,000 in trust for Stephen Jnr. on the condition that Fred and Anna could sponsor their move to the US.

    The ATA also arranged for Daisy and Stephen Jr to stay with Sqn Ldr Morgan in Twyford until arrangements could be made for their transfer to the US, and gave him £3 10s a week for her board and lodging.

    In April, Daisy wrote to the ATA: "You are kind to go to all this trouble for us, and I will not disappoint you. It will be a fresh start, in different surroundings, and I shall do my utmost to settle down, and help Mrs Morgan as much as possible."

    By June 1943, however, Daisy seems to have disappointed some people at least, according to a letter from Cmdr Stocks, the ATA Personnel Officer. Having moved to Amerden Priory (thanks in part to Audrey Sale-Barker), she spent "the majority of her time lazing about the gardens and in the evening playing cards until the early hours of the morning." One evening she reportedly won 6s at cards and the next morning bought cigarettes with this money, instead of buying new shoes for her baby - his only shoes being worn out.

    She also was reported to have consorted with other married men, to have wasted money on taxis, stayed out late, etc, etc. Daisy thought, apparently, that Mount Vernon was going to be "a place of bright lights, lots of music and tall buildings", and thought that everyone owned a car.

    Whether or not the reports were true or not is impossible to say - in Daisy's letters she comes across as a sweet, perfectly respectable, 22-year-old. She was making a living as a dressmaker and did 'very fine needlework'.

    They finally arrived in Mount Vernon in September 1943. "Just a few lines to let you know I arrived safely. After we parted at N.Y. I was feeling pretty low... I got to Columbus at around 11:30 the next morning and Mrs McFarland sent her son Frank to pick me up by car."

    "It's very nice here, everybody's so sweet and kind, I shan't find it difficult to settle down. Things are so different to England, but in the right way."

    "p.s. Dumbo's doing fine - and if possible - getting fatter."

    Anna's great-nephew tells me that "I recall visiting Anna on her farm in Ohio, and my parents kept in contact with their other son Frank McFarland, until the 1990’s when he died."

    Virginia Gooch Howard Anna McFarland

    Anna McFarland, on the right

    Daisy - reverting to her original name, Frona - later moved out of Ohio, married Benjamin H Corbin in 1946 (he was a bricklayer; they divorced in 1971), had two daughters (Kim and Carla) and carried on with her 'fine needlework', for example winning 'Best of Show' in the 1980 Yarncrafters Guild Show.

    Frona Corbin 1980 Frona in 1980: photo courtesy of Howard Hickman

    "Lest the impression be given that Ms Corbin has spent her life with a needle in her hand, it should be noted that, amongst other things, she has travelled with a carnival for six-seven years, worked as a carpenter's helper for four years, done interior and exterior house painting for four years and managed a pet shop for several years."

    "I look at every day as something exciting... One of the nicest things my children ever said to me was, 'Mother, don't ever grow up'."

    Frona died in 2002 aged 80.

    As for Stephen's parents, Fred died in 1959 and the indomitable Anna in 1972.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • McGehee, Ernest Oliver

     M.554  First Officer  Ernest Oliver 'Ernie' McGehee

    flag usa

     b. 16 Sep 1919, Rogers, AR 21 May 1941 to 9 Sep 1942 

     

    ata ernest mcgehee 

    The 'Enid Echo'

         

     

    Ed. Enid High School, OK

    prev. Oklahoma National Guard; Assistant Airport Manager - Woodring Field, Enid

    m. 8 May 1941 Juanita M [Liken, also from Enid]

    Address in 1941: 908 E Main, Enid, OK

    ATA pilots Earl Renicker (d. 7 Feb 1942) and John Erickson (d. 9 May 1942) also came from nearby in Oklahoma.


    Postings: 1FPP

    Suspended for 7 days in Sep 1941 for 'landing after official landing time'

    2 accidents, both his fault:

    - 4 Nov 1941, a bad landing in a Hurricane led to the undercarriage collapsing and the aircraft tipped onto its nose,

    - 29 Jan 1942, another heavy landing, this time in a Spitfire, tore off the port undercarriage leg.


    Joined 8th AF USAAF as 1st Lieut, but d. 19 Oct 1942 when he hit barrage balloons over Liverpool flying a Hurricane on a weather check.

    Originally buried Brookwood Cemetery, Guildford, then (from 1948) Enid Cemetery, OK

    ata ernest mcgehee grave


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Mershon, Franklyn Rule

     M.237 *  First Officer  Franklyn Rule Mershon Jr 

    flag usa

      b. 28 Apr 1915, Princetown NJ 26 Sep 1940 to 25 Oct 1941

       ATAM      

     

     Operated a seaplane base at Belmar NJ during the summer months of 1938

    m. 1941 Mary Bernadine [Crayfield] in Nottingham (b. 1919 in Hampstead, she subsequently married Robert A Bradley in Los Angeles, CA in 1946; he was 41, and it was his 4th marriage)

     Lived in Thornton, CA in 1948

    Crop-dusting in Napa Valley in April 1951, he (and Westaire Service, who owned the plane) were fined $27,000 for damages to a neighbouring vineyard caused by drifting 2-4-D spray.

    d. 23 Jul 1975 when his crop-dusting plane hit power lines and crashed into the Ulatis Creek Canal near Elmira,  CA

     

  • Meyer, Vernon Arno

     M.--- 1st Officer  Vernon Arno Meyer 
    flag usa  b. 27 May 1905, Chicago IL 26 Feb 1941 to 6 Aug 1941 

     

    ata vernon meyer findagrave.com

         

     

    m. Virginia Waller [Goodridge]

    Address in 1941: 809-N 27th St., Milwaukee, WI

    prev. a pilot for the Curtiss-Wright airport's Milwaukee Airways Inc


     He and three other American pilots (William Harry Englander, John Edward Sleeper, and Marvin Blaine Tuxhorn, qqv) threatened legal action to secure their full ATA salary of $150 per week for the period after they were told they had not been accepted as ferry pilots; they had, it seems, only been paid $24 plus a $50 subsistence allowance per week.


    In 1943, a 1st-Lieut based at Pensacola Naval Aviation base, FL

     ata vernon meyer 1943

    d. 13 Jan 1969 (age 63) - Chicago IL

     

  • Michelson, August

     M.--- * 2nd Officer 

    August 'Gus' Michelson 

    [or Michaelson]

     flag usa b. 3 May 1910, Valley Stream, Long Island, NY  27 Dec 1940 to 24 Mar 1941 

      The Norfolk Ledger Star, 1942

         

     

     Father: Nicholas Michelson, Mother: Alida [Wits, d. 1958] (both b. in Estonia)

     prev. semiskilled mechanic and repairman. Spent time in Honduras, returning 19 Feb 1937

    US Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1940: 354 W York St, Norfolk, Virginia

    "Started his aerial areer in Norfolk. He lived in Larchmont and attended public schools, and later did a lot of stunt flying here and barn-storming."

    He has served with the RAF Ferrying Command [sic], helped organise Central American Air Forces, dusted crops and done every other kind of flying in his 15-year-old flying career. He is now a test pilot at the Army Air Forces Technical School at Keesley Field.

    When he was first officer [sic] in the Air Transport Auxiliary of the RAF he earned $650 a month, somewhat more than the $54 he now receives, minus his flying pay."

    [The ATA actually paid their American pilots $150 a week (tax free), plus $10 a day whilst in transit, plus a $500 bonus at the end of a year.]

     

    Arrived in the UK 7 Feb 1941 with fellow American ATA pilots Harry Smith, Joseph Holloway, Frank Skillen, Conley Shreve, William Edgar and George Holcomb


     Postings:

     


     Sailed back to the USA from Liverpool on 1 Apr 1941, on the SS Nerissa. he arrived on the 14th April. 

    SS Nerissa, carrying 14 American pilots destined for the ATA, was sunk 30 Apr 1941. See https://www.ata-ferry-pilots.org/index.php/category-blog-1941/13-april-1941-the-loss-of-11-ferry-pilots-on-board-the-ss-nerissa

    Address in 1941: Municipal Airport, Miami, Florida

    Enlisted in US Army, 25 Feb 1942, PFC

     

     d. Jul 1968 - Dade, Florida


    * File not seen

  • Miller, Burton Craig

     M.344  First Officer Burton Craig Miller 
     flag usa  b. 8 Jul 1917, Louisville, KY 20 Feb 1941 to 19 Feb 1942 

     ata burton miller

         

     

    Mother: Zula [Troutman]

    Ed. Purdue University

    Next of Kin: (Father) Rodney Deane Miller, 7314 Phillips Ave, Chicago, IL. He was an accountant.

     prev. Flight Instructor for Athens Airways, Inc, Ohio

    prev.exp. 800 hrs


     Postings: 1FPP

    Suspended for 3 days in Dec-41 for 'contravention of daily standing orders';

    Suspended for 7 days and fined $25 in Feb-42 for breaches of flying discipline (dangerous flying).

    "Absolutely top class in every way; ability, keenness, influence and work unsurpassed" (Blimey)

    However, his camera was confiscated by the ATA in July 1941 after a letter home was intercepted, containing photographs of aircraft and expressing his dissatisfaction with the ATA.

    The ATA Security Officer suggested that he be searched at the port of departure for photographs and undeveloped film.


     Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 22 Jun 1943 (age 25): Marauder FK129 crashed 35 m W of Borinquen, Puerto Rico

    Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Miller, Nancy Jane (W.89)

     W.89 *  First Officer  Nancy Jane Miller
     flag usa  b. 12 Jun 1919   9 Jul-42 to Jul-45

     ata nancy miller  CB

         

     

    Father: Dr. Ray Oakley Miller, mother Laura C [Crump]

    Parents' address: 715 South Serrado, Los Angeles

     ata nancy miller 1937 Nancy's 1937 school photo

     Studied psychology at Occidental College and UC Berkeley

    She sailed from Montreal to join the ATA on the 30 Jul 1942 with Opal Anderson. [They sailed on the 'Winnipeg II', which was torpedoed and sunk on its return trip.]

    Sailed to the US in September 1944 on the 'Queen Elizabeth' with fellow American ATA pilots Ernest Ewing, Keith Williams, and Harry Smith. She then flew back as a supernumary pilot in Liberator KH303, 26-29 Oct 1944. She says she "wedged up against the door between the cabin and the bomb-bay, as the dinghies took up the rest of the room."  Even though they flew back via Bermuda and the Azores, her experience of the flight itself was being very cold, cramped and uncomfortable,

    She later recalled that, in Britain "You could fly the same route for a year before you could put the map away. At Luton, you could get lost just circling the airfield"

    After ATA, sailed back to the US via Nova Scotia on the 18 Aug 1945 with Edith Foltz Stearns, and Louise Shuurman. 

    In 1947 she become the world’s fourth licensed woman helicopter pilot.

    m.1956 J Arlo Livingston; they moved to Juneau, Alaska in 1960 and ran a helicopter service, Livingston Copters Ltd. until 1976. 

    ata nancy livingston 1965 2 Nancy in the early 60s in Alaska

    Arlo died in 1986.

    m.1991 Milton Stratford (d. 2008)

     Wrote 'Contact! Britain!' in 2010

    ata nancy livingston stratford 2014  in 2014 - San Diego Union-Tribune

    ata nancy jane livingston stratford 100 12 June 2019 (Dot Wilson)

    "I loved all the flying, the freedom, doing what I liked to do. It was wild and woolly at times. I was a lucky person in my career. I smile. I have absolutely no regrets.”

     

  • Miller, Paul Theodore

     M.195 * First Officer  Paul Theodore Miller 

    flag usa

     b. 26 Oct 1905, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  12 Aug 1940 to 9 Jan 1941 

      ata paul miller 1940 1940      

     

    divorced 1928

    m. Sep 1937 Irene Katherine [Matthews] in Delaware, Indiana

    Address in 1940: Anderson, Indiana

    Transferred to AtFero Jan 41

    Back for a brief vacation on 26 Jan 1941, Paul said that "flying American-built bombers across the Atlantic to England is safer than ferrying planes to the fighting squadrons."

    "Although he has flown a British Spitfire fighter as fast as 400 miles an hour, Miller said the British fighter currently considered the best is a type lnown as the bullfighter [sic], powered by two 1,200 hp liquid cooled engines." :-)

    "Paul T Miller, formerly connected with the Muncie Airport, is now engaged flying Lockeed-Hudson planes from Canada to England for the British. Miller was paid $1,000 for delivering two of the planes to England and was given a $500 bonus for safe arrival." 

     

  • Mills, Lyle Otto

     M.628 First Officer   Lyle Otto Mills
     flag usa   b. 3 Apr 1896, Raymond City, WV  24 Jun 1941 to 25 Jun 1942

     

         

     

    Ed. Pace Insitute, NYC (Law and Accountancy)

    prev. Sgt. in  AAF 1917-20; Commercial Pilot and Instructor

    prev. exp. 8500 hrs (including Beechcraft and "Savoia-Marchetti Boat"

    m. Ruth Carpenter [Fitchett] (3 daughters Audrey, Carol, and Dolores)

    Address in 1941: Urbana, VA


    Postings: 4aFPP, 8FPP

    3 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 17 Dec 1941, forced landing in a Mohawk after engine failure;

    - 8 Apr 1942, landing with undercarriage not fully extended in a Hereford, due to partial engine failure;

    - 15 Jun 1942, he over-ran the runway in an Oxford; "pilot should have made another circuit."

    "A good officer who can be relied upon to give his best"


     Joined USAAF 9 Sep 1942. Major in 310th AAF Base Unit, Pope Field

    He rescued 26 wounded men during fighting at Iwo Jima in 1945 while an operations officer piloting a C-47 transport plane.

    Rejoined the Electrolux Corp,, retiring in 1955.

    d. 29 Aug 1959 (age 63) - Washington

    ata lyle mills grave

    Buried Arlington National Cemetery, VA

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Milton, Marshall McCormick

     M.616 First Officer  Rev. Marshall McCormick Milton Jnr. 
     flag usa

      b. 4 Oct 1912, Hagerstown, Maryland

    [but grew up in Richmond, VA]

     11 Jun 1941 to 8 Mar 1944

     ata marshall milton 1942 1942

         

     

    Brother of Rev. William Byrd Lee Milton, also an ATA pilot - 'The Flying Parsons'.(see below)

    Ed. Christ Church School, Saluda, VA, Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Theological Seminary [1934 B.S. Civil Enginering, 1938 B.D. Theology]

    m. 1938 Isobel Heyward [Wilson] from Birmingham, ALA

    prev. Priest - Rector of Brandon Episcopal Church, Burrowsville, VA

    prev. exp. 450 hrs

    Address in 1941: 756 Cumberland Ave, Atlanta, GA


    Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP, 16FPP, 1FPP (Seconded), 14FPP

    He and his brother resigned their church appointments in neigbouring parishes in the US to join the ATA. In May 1942, Marshall said "The only thing I object to is helping men to kill each other and from the pulpit I couldn't do it, but as an individual and as a member of society I felt that whether I believed in war or not I was just part of it. We thought we would be of more service perhaps in the ATA than by staying at home."

    5 accidents:

    - 24 Dec 1941, Brewster Buffalo overshot landing due to flap and engine failure and ran into a heap of earth;

    - 8 Feb 1942, Defiant overshot landing and then swung to avoid another aircraft; pilot to blame as he should have made a second circuit;

    - 29 Mar 1942, Beaufort failed top control a swing after applying brakes. Not to blame as the brakes were found to be defective;

    - 29 Oct 1942, successfully force landed a Hampden after port engine failure. Pilot not responsible.

    - 21 Feb 1943, Proctor III tipped onto its nose when taxying in high wind; he was held to blame as he ignored the ground crew, who were standing by to help.

    "A methodical pilot of average ability, but inclined to be heavy-handed on single-engine aircraft."

    "A good officer and a capable and obliging pilot."


    Later a maths teacher

    d. 5 Nov 1993 - Newport, VA

    ata marshall mccormick grave

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Milton, William Byrd Lee

     M.656 First Officer  Rev. William Byrd Lee Milton 
     flag usa   b. 17 Aug 1907, Baltimore, Maryland 22 Jun 1941 to Feb-43 

     ata william milton 1942 1942

         

     

    Brother of Rev. Marshall McCormick Milton, also an ATA pilot - 'The Flying Parsons'. (see above)

    m. to Frances Gordon Thornton, from Fredericksburg, 1 daughter.

    prev. Priest (Rector of St John's Episcopal Church and Merchant's Hope Church, Prince George County, VA);

    Civil Engineer. Chemist.

    2nd Lieut., US Army 307th Cavalry Reserve Jun-29 to Jun-34.

    Said he had owned a Taylorcraft, Piper Cruiser, and "Stinsons"

    Address in 1941: Fredericksburg, VA


    Postings: 8FPP 

    "Extremely keen and steady type. This pilot tries very hard but lacks natural aptitude and is inclined to be heavy-handed."

     "He would make a good officer if he talked less and paid more attention to his appearance."

    Head of ATA Gerard d'Erlanger replied to him in October 1941; "In reply to your memorandum of October 9th, I sincerely appreciate your offer to act as honorary chaplain to the ATA, but regret that I cannot see my way to acquiesce thereto. [which I think means "No"].

    Thank you nevertheless for the suggestion."

    While on leave in Virginia Beach in July 1942, William sent a nice postcard to Flt Captain Stock, the Establishment Officer for the ATA:

      ata william milton postcard front

    ata william milton postcard back

    1 incident and 1 accident:

    - 4 Nov 1942, Hampden force landed after engine problem.

    - 14 Nov 1942, Martlett IV swung after take-off and starboard undercarriage collapsed. Pilot to blame.


     Beaufort I

    d. 23 Feb 1943 (Died in ATA Service), ferrying Beaufort DX118 from 44 MU Edzell to 5 OTU Long Kesh, N. Ireland which suffered starboard engine failure "on a type on which single-engined flight is critical" and crashed on Brownhart Law, near Makendon, Northumberland.

    ata william milton crash site Map Coords 55.383333, -2.333333

    In 2014, Jim Corbett found "a lot of wood and plexiglass from the nose section" on Brownhart Law:

     Beaufort1

    Beaufort2

    See https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/pennines/bristol-beaufort-dx118-brownhart-law/

    His CO, Bert Yardley, wrote: "Milton was a strange personality, and had a strange mentality towards his job. My pilots usually go straight to destination. The Royal Observer Corps have plotted Milton for me and I find he rarely takes a straight line, but wanders all over the place. He left Edzell about 2 hours before the other four pilots and it is my carefully considered opinion that he employed his usual method - getting above the cloud (against which he has been warned) and in this case got lost. Instead of going back to where he knew it was clear, he thought he was further East than he actually was and thought to break cloud over or near the coast, with disastrous results. From experience I know this to be a most treacherous strip of country and cannot be trifled with."

    A silver chalice was presented in 1948 to St John's Episcopal Church, Hopewell, in his memory.

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Moawood, Thomas George

     M.663 First Officer  Thomas George Moawood 
     flag usa   b. 16 Dec 1900, Rutland VT 6 Aug 1941 to Aug-42 

     ata george moawood 2 c. 1935

     

    ata george moawood 

    Poughkeepsie Journal, 1941

       

     

    The son of George and Anna Androus Maouat; his birth certificate showed his name as Maouat, and he later changed his name to 'Moawood'.

    He was described as "leading pilot of the Hudson Valley and motorboat racer" in 1932, when he was hit by the propeller of a plane when he spun it, fracturing his arm.

    He accidentally shot a railroad electrician in 1936, when he and Harold Merte were fooling about with a rifle, shooting from the window of an office at the airport. Roger Gardner, the airport manager, tried to get them to stop but, when he tried to grab the rifle from Thomas, it went off and hit 22-year old Arthur Knapp in the thigh. Luckily, he was not seriously injured.

     Address in 1941: 269 Mansion St, Poughkeepsie, NY

    In 1941, he had been "flying near Poughkeepsie and vicinity for the past 20 years."


    Postings: 1FPP

    "A keen officer who has carried out all his duties satisfactorily."

    Sailed back to the US in August 1942 with his fellow ferry pilots Julius Petach and Lawrence King.


    d. 1971

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Moraga, Eugene Winslow

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Eugene Winslow 'Gene' Moraga 

    flag usa

     b. 18 Nov 1900, Contra Costa Co., CA  7 Aug 1940 - 12 Sep 1940 

      ata gene moraga 1940 1940  ata gene moraga 19451945 [Arizona Republic]    

     

    "A fifth generation descendant of the pioneer California family. He was a descendant of Jose Joaquin Moraga, for whom Moraga Valley is named."

    US Air Corps 1917-19. "A pilot in the Signal Corps during World War I"

    1921-23 Forest Patrol, US Government Dept.

    US Air Corps again 1925-38 First Lieut.

    m. Virginia Gretchen [Arthur]. [divorced 1937]

    ata gene moraga and 2 sons 1931

    Gene with sons Gene Jr (5) and Nacio [or Don] Jose (2) in 1931

    Address in 1940: 2125 Carelton St, Berkeley CA

    "He was formerly a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Corps and was stationed with the 91st Observation Squadron at Crissey Field in San Francisco. He was later transferred to Fort Lewis, Wash." according to the Oakland Tribune, 29 Oct 1940

    " Mr Moraga joined the Canadian Royal Air Force in the second world war, first as a ferry pilot and later as an instructor.

    He later joined the US Air Force Reserve as an instructor and was then transferred to the Air Transport Command.

    Following the war, Mr Moraga taught mattress crafting at Dueul Vocational Institute."

    d. 20 Feb 1975, Altaville CA

    "Mr Moraga is survived by his wife Lenore of Altaville, three sons and five grandchildren." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Morrison, John

     M.358 * First Officer  John ?A Morrison 

    flag usa

    b. 1916/17, Nebraska  19 May 1941 to 30 May 1942 

     

         

     

    ATA file missing, so just guesswork:

     

    prev. Flight Instructor

    Address in 1940: Minneapolis MN


    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, Russell Gates, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.


    ? Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 20 Nov 1942, when his Baltimore FA179 burst a tyre taking off at Geneina, Sudan. 2 of his crew were also injured

  • Mussey, Howard Eugene

     M.115 * First Officer  Howard Eugene Mussey, Jr 

    flag usa

      b. 28 Dec 1913, Birmingham Alabama 14 Sep 1940 to 30 Nov 1940

           

     

    His father, Howard E Mussey Snr, was a Supervisor with the Woodward Iron Company but was killed in 1926 when a blast furnace exploded: "Five white men and eleven negroes were instantly killed and several others seriously burned."

    m. 1935 Margurete Marshall [Gribble]

    Address in 1941: 2011 Highland Ave, Birmingham


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Roger Inman, William Cummings, Edward Vencill, Martin Wetzel and Constant Wilson.

    Returning to the USA in February 1941, he said that air raids never interrupted their work in the ATA; "We went up because that is the safest place to be. I was blown out of bed several times while quartered at air fields outside of London, and I would much rather be in the air when the siren sounds."

     ata howard e mussey grave

    d. 7 Apr 1967 - Birmingham AL

  • Nelson, Irving Gustave

     M.229  First Officer Irving Gustave Nelson 

    flag usa

     b. 22 Sep 1911, Bridgeport CT. 27 Aug 1940 to 26 Aug 1941 

           

     

    Next of Kin: (mother) Mrs Barbara Louise [Albrecht] Nelson, 2428 Main St., Stratford, CT.

    Ed. High School, Stratford

    m. Nina [Matzko], 1 daughter

    Address in 1940: 146 Warwick Ave., Stratford, CT.


    Arrived in England 6 Sep 1940

    Postings: 2 FPP

    "A good, useful pilot with a clean record. Somewhat dilatory apart from flying."

    "Rather fussy about what he flew in the last month of his contract."

    "Discipline and conduct off-duty good."

    Transferred to AtFero

    Sailed back to Montreal on 30 Aug 1941 with fellow pilots Hubert Timmermans, Gilbert Tobin, Clarence Goza and Lewis Hunter.


    In August 1953, the Hartford Courant reported that the annual Tuna Tournament had been a wash out; "Irving G. Nelson of the Stratford entry was the only one who got a strike, and his was a shark." The following year, it was washed out again, this time by a hurricane; 22 of the 77 entries were sunk or disabled, including Irving's 'Tony B', which rammed into some pillars.

     ata irving nelson grave Union Cemetery, Stratford CT

    d. 19 May 1955, Bridgeport, CT.

    Former proprietor of Nelson's Restaurant in Startford; "Mr Nelson was employed for the last three years as a service representative for the Avco Corporation. He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a Royal Canadian Air Force ferry pilot. He joined the RCAF in August of 1940 and flew planes across the Atlantic to Britain. He was discharged with the rank of Captain."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Newmeyer, Richard Cushman

     M.581 First Officer   Richard Cushman Newmeyer

    flag usa

     b. 12 Nov 1908, Cleveland OH  31 May 1941 to 31 Aug 1942 

     ata richard newmeyer 1932 1932

         

     

    A descendant of Elder Robert Cushman of the Mayflower Expedition.

    Father: William Lawrence Newmeyer, originally from Argentina;

    Mother Sophie [Richardson], a playwright (Richard, sister Sophie and his brother Don acted in her plays, e.g. 'Half Loaves', a "sparkling comedy of modern life", and 'The Love Lease').

    Ed. University of California Berkeley (Law)

    A member of the University Life Saving Corps and an instructor in swimming and life-saving. "He has on several occasions had opportunity to put his life-saving ability to practical test in rescuing persons from drowning."

    m. Sandra

    prev. a Secondary School English Teacher, Kern Co. High

    prev. exp. 280 hrs, private flying

    Address in 1941: 2110 N Kern St, Bakersfield, CA then 10250 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA


     Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    2 accidents, neither his fault:

    - 19 Nov 1941, the brakes failed and he taxied a Battle into a hedge;

    - 19 Jun 1942, another brake problem, in a Harvard, led to an uncontrolled swing on landing.

    "A pilot of exceptional ability and keenness, whose good discipline and conscientious work made him a great asset to this pool."


     Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain Richard C. Newmeyer

     

    ata richard newmeyer brazil visa 1945

    Richard's Visitor Visa for Brazil, 1945

    Later a teacher (as was his wife Sandara) in San Pedro, CA

    d. 8 Jul 1995 - Bakersfield CA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Nicholson, Mary Webb (W.97)

     W.97  2nd Officer  Mary Webb Nicholson 
     flag usa b. 12 Jul 1905, Greensboro, N.C.  1 Aug-42 to May-43 

     mary nicholson 1943 

    ATA 1942

         

     

    When Mary joined the Air Transport Auxiliary in 1942, she had a security check-up from the US Authorities:

    mary nicholson ata1 

    "Subject is described as being about 36 years old and was divorced from Dr. Harris Preston Pearson. She was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on July 12, 1905 and is the daughter of Francis H and Frances M Nicholson; both described as being native born Americans.

    Her parents reside at 2400 Walker Avenue, Greensboro N.C. for the past 30 years and own their house at this point. Her father is about 70 years old and is employed as a salesman by the Cole Chemical Co. of St. Louis Missouri. He has been here for several years and prior to that was with the North Carolina Bank & Trust Co. for a number of years. Public records disclose that he filed a petition in bankrupcy on June 28, 1930 and was discharged on October 16, 1930. The family is well regarded locally and informants state that subject's parents are not known to have ever engaged in un-American activities.

    Subject obtained her early education in Pomono, Cal. and later attended Guilford College, Guilford, N.C., Women's College of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, N.C.

    She has done considerable flying and it is reported by our correspondents that she is the first woman in North Carolina to receive a commercial pilot's license. She had been employed by the Hickory Memorial Hospital, Hickory N.C. for about one year as business manager, but had to resign from her position in October of 1936 due to an injury sustained in an accident. She later was engaged on airport promotional work for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and in June of 1937 entered the employ of Miss Jacqueline Cochran, 300 5th Avenue, NYC, doing private secretarial work. She is employed at the above business address and also at 435 East 52 Street, NYC where Miss Cochran maintains Apartment #9-A. This latter party operates a cosmetics business but is well known as one of the outstanding aviatrix in this country.

     Subject is highly regarded as to character and habits and is said to be a member of the ninety-nines which is an outstanding women's aviation organisation, as well as the National Aeronautics Association.

    She is not addicted to the use of intoxicants or narcotics and is not connected with any labor or political organizations. Informants state that subject has never engaged in any un-American or subversive activities.

    Subject had resided with her parents since birth up to 1936 when she moved to Hickory, N.C. in keeping with the requirements of her position at that time. She gives another former residence as 435 East 52nd Street, NYC. This is the residence of Miss Cochran and building management authorities at this address advise that subject never lived here but is well known to them in connection with Miss Cochran. 

    She has been living at 333 East 53rd Street, NYC since May of 1938 and leases a two rooms apartment at a rental of about $60. per month. She lives alone and is reported to be a satisfactory tenant here. Informants at the various places of residence advise that subject associates with good reputable persons coming from good class families, and in all quarters checked the opinion was expressed that subject is thoroughly American in her sentiments."


    She also had to complete a 'next of kin' form, naming her father; the form was witnessed by Emily Chapin, a fellow American ATA pilot who also joined the ATA in August 1942.  She gave her religion as 'Christian Scientist"; her flying hours to date were 606 hrs 36min, making her one of the more experienced women to join the ATA.

    In more detail, she gave her education as:

    • Pomona High School, 1922
    • Guilford College, Guilford, N.C. 1923-24
    • Women's College of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, N.C. 1 year - 1925
    • Southern Brothers University, Portsmouth, Ohio (Secretarial Certificate) 1 year - 1928.

    As for her detailed flying history, she said she "began flying July 21, 1928 at the Raven Rock Flying School, Portsmouth, Ohio. Received ground instruction and 17 hours flying time. Private license at Greensboro, North Carolina October 17, 1929. Limited commercial license at Winston Salem N.C. October 17 1929. Carried passengers on week-ends at Winston Salem until Oct. 1934.

    Transport License in Wilmington, N.C. July 4th 1934. Barnstorming on week-ends in small North Carolina towns, including stunting exhibitions until February 1936. Started flying school in Hickory N.C. instructing 15 primary students between June 1 and September 20 1936. Various flying around New York and North Carolina since that time. Over 250 hours cross country flying. 7 hours link training. 

    Ships flown: Taylorcraft, Luscombe, Waco 10, Pitcairn Orowing, Monocoupe, DH Moth, Waco 9, Eaglerock, Challenger, Fairchild 21, 22, 24, Commandaire, Travelaire, Spartan, Cutiss Robin, OX Bird, Waco C, Waco N, Jensen Trainer, Pitcairn, Fleetwing, Beechcraft Kittyhawk, Waco F, Great Lakes, Fleet, Stinson Reliant, Stinson 105, Rearwin."

    All of which was sufficiently impressive for them to offer her a position straight away.

    She arrived in the 8th and final group of American (and Canadian) women aviators, together with Mikkie Allen, Emily Chapin, Gloria Large, and Bobbie Sandoz.

    mary nicholson ata2mary nicholson ata3

      

     mary nicholson ata9

    She started her training course but, perhaps surprisingly, seems to have found it hard going to begin with; she was signed off sick for two weeks for 'Debility/ Reactionary exhaustion' in October 1942.


    On the 10th December, Cadet Nicholson had he honor to report that:

    "On December the 9th, I lost my black leather handbag with black shoulder strap containing - in addition to the usual cosmetic items, handkerchief, purple fountain pen - a black leather pocket book holding the following important items:-

    American Passport; Alien Registration Certificate; National Registration Card, Clothing Coupn Book, Personal Ration Card, 19 pound-notes, Autographed American Dollar note, Address Book and family photographs.

    The last time I saw the handbag was when I placed it in Locker No. 13 at 09:30 hours, and I missed it at 17:00 hours when I prepared to leave the airfield for the day.

    I have made a careful search of the locker and have retraced my movements during the day without success in locating trhe missing article.

    I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Mary Nicholson, Cadet"


    .. all of which sounds pretty serious, but I'm afraid the outcome is not recorded in her file.

    Anyway, less than 3 weeks later, she passed the training course and was duly promoted to 3rd Officer. She was W.97 - the 97th woman pilot in the ATA (out of an eventual total of 168).

     Early 1943 therefore found her flying 'Class 1' (light single-engined) aircraft like the Fairchild Argus and DH Tiger Moth, until she went on the training course for 'Class 2' (advanced single engined) in February, passing that in March and being promoted to 2nd Officer. Her confidential report says:

    "In the I.F.T.S. this pilot did some 75 hours flying and proved a steady pilot who took a great interest in her work. In A.F.T.S. she reached a good standard in technical subjects and in her navigational flying. Her Class 2 flying was steady and good. In Training Pool her work was excellent and she has all along impressed her instructors as being a cautious pilot who is out to do the best ferrying job she can. Her behaviour as an officer was good and she should prove a useful ferry pilot at any Pool, and is now capable of flying all Class 2 aircraft up to and including Spitfires."


    Pauline Gower wrote to Mary's parents on the 13 May 1943:

    "Your daughter Mary has given me your address as I feel I must write to you myself to tell you how well she is getting on. She is just about to pass out from her training and she has shown great powers of hard work and intelligence during the time she has been in this country. Every day she is proving her ability as a pilot and I am very pleased with her in every respect.

    You will be interested to know she has now flown both Spitfires and Hurricanes and you can understand how pleased she is to have handled these aircraft which played such a prominent part in the Battle of Britain.

    With kind regards, Yours Sincerely, P. Gower, Commandant Women"


    Mary was posted to No. 12 Ferry Pool (Cosford) on the 22nd of May 1943.

    That same day, the 22nd of May, Mary was killed when her Miles Master W9029 crashed at 17:00 hours at Littleworth, near Worcester. According to an eye-witness, the airscrew came away from the aircraft before it crashed and burst into flames.

    Later technical analysis showed that a failure of lubrication to the propeller reduction gear caused a ball race to fail, and the propeller and reduction gear flew off. On gliding down the aircraft struck some farm buildings. Mary was deemed to be 'not at fault' for the incident.

    Her funeral was on the 29th May. Pauline Gower is named as 'Senior Pilot to attend' on the official forms for the funeral, but Giles Whittell (via Ann Wood) states that "Gower failed to attend the funeral, even though Nicholson had been based at White Waltham. Sometimes, just when they most needed to be warm, the Brits could be breathtakingly chilly."

    Whittell, Giles (2008-09-04). Spitfire Women of World War II (p. 218).  

    mary nicholson ata funeral1 mary nicholson ata funeral2

    mary nicholson ata funeral3 

     Pauline now had to write another, ghastly letter to Mary's parents, less than a month after her previous one.

    "I do wish to express my very deep sympathy to you both on the loss of your daughter Mary. It grieves me very much to have to follow my last letter to you with this one of sympathy.

    As I remarked to you before, your daughter was doing very well and you have every reason to be extremely proud of her. She was a good pilot, a hard worker and full of the spirit which we need so much these days.

    She will be much missed by her many friends in this country and all those with whom her work brought her in contact.

    Again, let me tell you how very much I feel for you in your loss.

    With kind regards, Yours Sincerely, Commandant Women"


    Even worse, Mary's mother had written to her on the 11th May, and the letter arrived after Mary's fatal accident. It is a normal, chatty family letter:

    My Dear Mary,

    I was overjoyed to receive your cable Sun a.m. Was sure a message would come from you and nothing did me so much good as to know you are well and happy.

    Had cards from David, Ruth and H. And Frank & I. gave me a navy slip.

    No news from Herbert, but hardly expect him to think of such things, and Julia is too busy decorating their home. She doesn’t write to her own mother, so guess I can’t expect it.

    They have a lovely home and were decorating and putting in handsome new rugs from wall to wall.

    Harold and Ruth have a very comfortable, attractive aptm., large enough for them, but not for company. The baby girl has arrived, & is named Ann Frances. I was so anxious for them to name her Mary Webb, and would like Ann Webb much better or Cole if they wanted to use my name. As it is Ruth has named them both for her Bro and Sister, but I think she was partial to Ann. I guess Harold doesn’t have much say so, and as Dad wrote Herbert I don’t appreciate having my name stuck in as tho for appeasement. Dad and I sent Harold $50.00 and Frank added $25, as he is hard pressed with this big expense coming on almost before he could get the other baby paid for. Eddie is not a bit like Harold, except his eyes are blue, has a long face and perfectly straight hair that won’t lie down, but is a fine sweet little boy. I hope the girl will look like the Nicholsons.

    Ruth has her hands full, has help only one day a week. Harold did all the spring cleaning. He is a sweet boy as you know and so proud of his babies.

    Re and Nancy are lovely girls, and beautiful, and both very bright. Re gets high grades and takes part in all the school activities. Nancy is a lively bird, beautiful big blue eyes, and sings so well, she catches tunes from the radio and sings with it so well. We enjoyed our visit with them, but have had a time catching up with my work. Have the garden in fair condition now, but have done no spring cleaning. We are raising 50 chicks in the yard, so as to having something to eat.

    I went to entertain some of the soldiers all along and they like fried chicken.

    Frank told me you had directed him to give me $50.00 for class instruction. I had just made my application to Mrs. Matters of Great Neck, N.Y., feeling sure the money would be supplied as I having been saving some for a time. She has her class in late summer, and I do not know yet if she can take me as they have only 30 in a class. If I do go, I sure wish you were in N.Y. I appreciate so much your thoughtfulness. But will wait to take the money later. I have my hands full with all the work here, garden, and Reading at Ch., which takes much time. I am wearing a real pretty navy sheer with lace collar, and hope to find a pretty lavender or orchid later.

    We sent you a box recently, containing a w. Bottle, the man at W.Rich & Co. gave Frank with their compliments. I will get off some orange juice to you soon. Tell me if their is any special thing we can send you.

    David is liking his work & is Cpl. Aren’t we proud of him, he is in the office and doesn’t have K. P. which suits him. Earl Garrett joined the Navy. Cousins Tom & Sola both passed on recently.

    We have two nice quiet couples in the house now, Capt. and Sgt., & their wives & don’t enjoy smelling bacon grease and cigarettes early in the morning, but glad to help out in the very congested condition, and it makes me get up early. Lots of people I meet send messages to you.

    Had a letter from one of your friends saying you are well and writing, tho we don’t get letters from you often. Dad is in W. Cas for a few days. Please write soon.

    Much love Mama.


    Mary was the only American woman to be killed on active service with the ATA.

    Postscript:

    Geooffrey Hudson kindly tells me that, in 2019, "on the anniversary of her death, I and a small group of fellow historic aviation enthusiasts/researchers finally marked the site of the crash of her Miles Master II in Littleworth, Worcesterhire. We felt that the fact that she was something of an aviation celebrity in North Carolina and beyond, was involved with Amelia Earhart in the founding of the Ninety-Nines’s and yet her death and crash site was unmarked was something of an insult to her memory. She was an exceptional woman.

    We therefore placed a memorial plaque on the wall adjacent to the barn that her aircraft struck and burnt. The Memorial Service was conducted by the Rev Mark Badger and the plaque unveiled by John Webster of the ATA Association. We interviewed two surviving witnesses to the crash and a third later came forward. The event was covered by local news media including the BBC;-

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-48363697

    The crash site is on private property but the current owners of the location are, with prior notice, happy to allow visitors to attend."

    MW Nicholson plaque 1024x731

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip files):

    download grey

    download grey

  • O'Halloran, James Emor

     M.409  First Officer James Emor 'Jim' or 'Jimmie' O'Halloran  Jr
     flag usa b. 30 Aug 1915, Wood Lake, Nebraska 

    18 Mar 1941 to 17 Mar 1942,

    8 Jun to 20 Nov 1942 


      

      1941

      

    with medals, though I'm not sure which ones

       

     

    With huge thanks to Betsy, Jim's grand-daughter, who sent me many valuable photos and biographical details.

     

    Father: James Emor O'Halloran, a lumber and hardware store owner (G. W. O'Halloran Lumber Co, founded by his father George Washington O'Halloran) and a Member of the Wood Lake Board; "the board met in regular session and allowed a few bills and discussed some very important questions" - The Stockman, 04 Apr 1919

      Golden Wedding in 1962 - Ainsworth Star-Journal

    Mother: Elizabeth Catherine [Gardner] (d. age 99 in 1988)

     

    One brother George, and one sister Mary Belle:

    "George flew B-17s in the 92nd Bomb Group, 327th squadron, of the US Army Air Force and was decorated.  He led the largest bombing mission over Berlin, leading 1100 or 1200 bombers.  On one mission, George was shot down over Germany, losing all 4 engines, had two of his crew jump because of pieces of the aircraft coming off, and crash-landed successfully, saving all the crew, south of Liege."

      1947 - Lincoln Journal Star

    "Even Mary Belle (Boyd) learned to fly, getting her flying license privately. She was written up in the Witchita, KS, paper at one point in later life as "the flying grandma". She used to fly herself and my Uncle Rex Boyd from KS to NE to see University of Nebraska football games!"

     

    m. 4 Jul 1935 in Long Pine, Nebraska, Doris Amelia [Lyman]

    prev. 5 years flying (Private and Commercial); 1940-41, instructor, Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, Oklahoma...

      Spartan Instructor - 1941

     ...which still exists:

    blackcat13The Spartan College Black Cat with the 13 signifies that “Knowledge and Skill Overcome Superstition and Luck”.

      http://www.spartan.edu

     

      US Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

     

    Arrived in Liverpool on the 'SS Mercier' 22 Apr 1941, with fellow ATA pilots John Cleveland Davis Jr (M.416), Gilman Benedict Warne (M.428), Emmett Kenneth Chaffin (M.568), Marvin Harrison Dunlavy Jr (M.408), and Harold Lindsey Price


    Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP

     

     Off sick from 19 Aug 1941 to 8 Feb 1942 with 'smashed foot'

        "Nebraska ferry pilot and wife

    This is First Officer James O'Halloran, his wife Doris and their three-year-old son, [James Emor O'Halloran] 3rd, of Wood Lake, Neb. The picture was taken while O'Halloran was on 40-day furlough from his duties as a ferry pilot. Last August he was one of a number of pilots injured in a plane crash and spent five months in an RAF hospital. He has ferried some 80 different types of planes from airdromes thruout England, Scotland, Wales and north Ireland"

     

     He wrote to Doris (letter dated 5 Sep 1941): "This may a bit confused as only an hour ago I came out from under the anaesthetic they gave while they operated.

    Day before yesterday [sic] I and a 2nd officer were riding to an airdrome with our captain, in a multi-engined bomber while still 3 miles over the sea, before arriving, the right engine failed completely. We proceeded on one engine to the point where we could enter the traffic. I was in front with the Captain and 2nd Officer Greaves and a Fleet Air Arm officer were in the rear, as we tried to enter the circuit around the airdrome were cut out by another ship. We pulled away and when we attempted to turn back into the drome, we were unable to turn sufficiently to make it. I knew we were going to crash and also knew that due to the cluttered up landscape and none of us being strapped in, we would none of us live through it.

    I sat perfectly still for the last 30 seconds knowing that you were going to be a widow. As the crash came I braced myself and was thrown from the pilot's compartment into the nose compartment where the bomb-aimer rides. I looked back into the cockpit and saw that the Captain was OK. Then we hit again, more violently as we had only grazed the top of a dyke before. I ws thrown against the glass nose and the bottom of the compartment I was in. I slid on my face and belly with the plane sliding on my leg. When it stopped I pulled my leg free and removed my shoe as I knew it was crushed.

    My back hurt terribly and I was bleeding badly from scores of wounds. My eyes were so full of soil I could not see but I managed to crawl out through what had been a solid glass and metal nose. I could hear gas pouring out but heard no flames so I lay on my back right where I came out. I finally heard the Captain saying "Oh, I am sorry". He was certain we were all dead.

    I called to him and he said he was all right and later told me the others were alive. I was the one most severely injured but it was like getting 95c change from a dollar you have just spent just to know that I might live to see you and Skipper again. I was resigned to being killed and the thought of being afraid didn't occur to me, but it was wonderful to be alive.

    We were taken to a dressing station then to an emergency hospital where we were put into metal frames  (two of us - one had a broken arm). Then after two days there, they put us on a boat and shipped us to England to the RAF Station Hospital.

    I am in Ward No. 2. There are about 10 officers in here with broken backs, legs, etc. The doctor who operated on me last night was a very good orthopedic surgeon in Canada before the war.

    I guess I am about the luckiest man alive. I was positive that I couldn't hit the ground at over 100 miles an hour sitting where I was and not be killed, but I did."

      

    The aircraft was a Blenheim IV, V5374, piloted by Oliver 'Paddy' Armstrong, Officer Commanding 8FPP, the Belfast Ferry Pool. He was held responsible for the crash, due to his "incorrect handling" of the aircraft after the engine failure.

    It crashed 3 miles NE of Jurby, Isle of Man:

    The other ATA passenger was John Milne Greaves, who was in hospital until 22 Apr 1942, resumed ferrying but then died in an aircraft crash 3 months later.

     

    AIR81/10245 Blenheim IV V5374 Captain O E Armstrong (Air Transport Auxiliary), Second Officer J M Greaves (Air Transport Auxiliary), Sub Lieutenant L P Twiss (804 Squadron), First Officer J E O'Halloran (Air Transport Auxiliary): injured; aircraft accident near Jurby aerodrome, Isle of Man, Blenheim V5374, 5 Air Observer School, 19 August 1941.

     

    The "Fleet Air Arm officer" was  Lionel Peter Twiss OBE, DSC & Bar (23 July 1921 – 31 August 2011), later a test pilot who held the World Air Speed Record in 1956.

     

    2 other accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 25 Jul 1941, he landed his Spitfire down-wind, due to "that's the way the Landing T was indicating"

    - 6 Sep 1942, whilst taxying, the wing tip of his Battle struck a Spitfire's rudder

     

    "A good officer and a capable and obliging pilot"

      Contract Terminated "with the purpose of joining the US Naval Reserve"


     Later a Lt-Col, US Navy aviator.

      1943

    "He completed his 500th trans-Pacific flight in March 1948. He then continued to make the regular NATS flight from Honolulu to the United States and back until October 1948. Not wishing to neglect the mighty Atlantic, Major O'Halloran's squadron moved to Germany, where he made 127 flights in the famous Berlin Air Lift from Rhein-Main to Templehof.

       1948      Honolulu USNAF Air News, 1948

    Returning to the States in July 1949, he resigned from the US Navy in order to join the US Air Force. With the advent of the Korean conflict, he requested active duty and was assigned to the 77th Strategic reconnaisance squadron on 11 Mar 1951.

    His entire career has been one of an aeronautical nature. After graduating from Wood Lake High School in 1932, he took up aviation as a career when he was appointed an instructor at the Spartan School of Aeronautics of Tulsa, Oklahoma." - Rapid City Journal, 1 Jul 1951

     

    "Jim and Doris eventually divorced, he married again (to Beverly) and moved to Owl Creek, Hiawassee, Georgia"

      d. 12 Aug 1989 - Towns, Georgia

     

     "Jim's son, James Emor O'Halloran III, was an US Airforce pilot and then a commercial pilot."


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • O'Hanlon, Frederick William


     M.--- 2nd Officer   Frederick William O'Hanlon

    flag usa

     b. 26 Mar 1914, Alameda CA  7 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

     ata fred ohanlon 1940 1940      

     

    Address in 1940: 580 S 9th St, San Jose CA

    After returning to the US, Fred said that here was plenty of food available in England, and that London is so large that damage from bombing attacks had been compartively small. "I think the people of England would like to see Hitler make an attempted invasion. They believe he hasn't a chance of winning."

     Post-WWII, Airline pilot for Pan American

    d. 22 Jan 1964 - San Francisco CA

     

  • Obermer, Ruth (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet Ruth Obermer 
     +  flag england b. 26 Jul 1924, Marylebone, London  11 Oct 1943 to 26 Jun 1944 

     

    ata ruth obermer

    https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/culver-city-ca/ruth-obermer-8159022

         

     

    Father: Dr. Edgar Obermer (b. 1895 in New Jersey), mother Sylvia [Johnson, d. Aug 1924] (both American)

    grandfather Seymour, also American


     

    Ab initio trainee


    Trained as a nurse. Travelled to the USA in Jun 1956

    d. 8 Feb 2019 - Culver City, CA

    [Only Lettice Curtis' book 'Forgotten Pilots' has a Ruth Obermer listed, as an American cadet. So this may not even be the right person.]

  • Ortman, Earl Hill

     M.193  First Officer Earl Hill Ortman 

    flag usa

    b. 10 Jan 1912, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.   12 Aug 1940 to 15 Jan 1941

      earl ortman 1940 1940      

     

    Described as 'mild-mannered, shy and slightly-built'; part Cherokee Indian.

    Little Earl was the subject of a custody battle between his parents after they divorced in April 1914 when his mother, Nellie, who had left him with her mother when she was off in Kansas working as a 'designer of fancy gowns', applied for custody.

    Earl's father (also Earl) meanwhile, was granted custody of the child and packed him off to Columbus Ohio, to live with his parents Benson and Mary Ellen 'Ella' Ortman, but then accidentally got himself drowned in the Grand River near Fort Gibson, aged 37, leaving assets of $1,500 and debts of $3,500.

    Earl was brought up (from the age of 7, anyway) by his grandmother Ella; they moved to California in 1930 so he could learn to fly, but she died the following year.

    He then earnt himself a substantial amount of money in the 1934 National Air Races.

     Earl Ortman with the Keith Rider R 3 1935 VAM

    This is Earl with the Keith (later renamed the Marcoux-Bromberg) R-3. He set a record in 1935 in this aeroplane by covering the 1,400 miles between Vancouver BC and Caliente, Mexico in just over 5 hours.

    [The R-3 was an interesting aeroplane, originally designed for the 1934 MacRobertson Race but not ready in time. It somersaulted on its first take-off (or landing, according to one report), killing test pilot Jim Granger, but was only superficially damaged and was restored. More at http://www.airminded.net/mbspecial/mbspecial.html]

    Ortman and the R-3 came second in the 1936 National Air Races; second in the 1937 Bendix trans-continental Race (to Jackie Cochran), and then second in the 1937 Thompson Trophy, this time to Roscoe Turner.

    In 1937 he also did the racing scenes as the stand-in for Clark Gable in the MGM film 'Test Pilot', and then won the Golden Gate Exposition Trophy Race, clocking 273mph - the only time the R-3 ever finished first.

    Address in 1940: 141-25 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, N.Y.

    Next of Kin: (Uncle) Fred H Ortman, of 148 N June St,. Los Angeles, CA

    m. Apr 1941 Maryette [Richer], later an airline stewardess

    After the ATA, Earl sailed back to New Brunswick on the 15 Jan 1941, got married in Montreal, returned to the UK, then sailed back to New York from Liverpool on the 1st May 1941.

    He was later employed as a test pilot, by Douglas and Lockheed, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a heavy smoker.

    d. 27 Feb 1953 [aged 41] in Miami Florida, following a heart attack. 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Palmer, Thomas Edgar

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Thomas Edgar Palmer 

    flag usa

     b. 8 Jan 1903, Canton, Ohio  12 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata thomas palmer 1940 1940      

     

    m. 1930 Susan [Steven]

    prev. Chief Petty Officer in US Coast Guard 1922- 1937

    Address in 1940: 2248 NW 91st St, Miami, Florida 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Paredes, Isidro Juan

     M.384  First Officer Isidro Juan 'Sid' Paredes 

    flag philippines

    flag usa

      b. 6 Apr 1907, San Antonio TX

    (father Quintin originally Mexican and his mother American)

    25 Mar 1941 to Nov-41

    [227 days]


     

         

     

    His father was the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the US.

    Degree in Business Studies from Detroit Inst. of Technology in 1927.

    Employed by the Ford Motor Co, and had a brief career as a boxer; returned to the Philippines in 1931.

    Jul-37 to Jan-41, 1st Lieutenant in USAAF.

    He fractured his skull in a crash on 15 Feb 1939 near Bloomsdale, Missouri, and later had plastic surgery:

    ata isidro paredes crash 1939

    prev exp. 800 hrs

    married, (err, three or four, or five, times... see later...), 2 adopted children

    After training on Magister, Harvard and Hawk aircraft, he progressed to Hurricane and Oxfords, then passed Class 4 training (on Blenheims) 9 Oct 1941 - assessed "a good average, with no special faults".


    Back in the Philippines, the Assembly of the Municipal Council of Posserabio (?) resolved as follows:

    WHEREAS, the son of the Hon Quintin Paredes, has eventually blazed a brilliant career as an aviator and an officer of the RAF thus giving testimony to the world of the capability of Filipino manhood at all eventualities in the event of war;

    WHEREAS His Majesty the King of England has relieved him from duty as a pilot of a combat plane of the famous Royal Air Force and assigning him instructor for the Royal Aviators, in the manipulation of American made fighting planes and giving him rank of a CAPTAIN in the regular army thus crowning him with another glory which the Philippines should be proud of; 

    it was RESOLVED that

    the Municipality to greet and congratulate the young aviator Isidro Juan Paredes Jr, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Great Aviator ISIDRO PAREDES, Jr, for his information.

    Carried unanimously.


    However, the first time he flew a Hampden, he stalled and crashed it:

    janes hampden 2 

    d. 7 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hampden P5396 crashed on approach to Burtonwood Aerodrome after opening up for second circuit after mis-landing.

    Philippines President Quezon (who seems to have mixed Isidro up with somebody else) wrote to Isidro's father to inform him that his son, "a volunteer with the R.A.F., participated in a British mass air raid on German-held territory and apparently was wounded but was able to land on English soil before he died."  Hmmm...

    Buried Sankey Cemetery, Warrington. He was the first Philippino casualty of WWII and his body was later repatriated to the Philippines, according to CWGC.

    ata isidro paredes funeral

    Although Isidro was only with the ATA for less than 8 months, it took them and the US Consulate until 1948 to sort out who should get his personal effects and the proceeds of his estate (which actually only amounted to a few hundred dollars - he 'left a lot of debts'). The reason was simple; there was "uncertainty over which of the four wives is the legal one".

    For the record, therefore, what happened was (as far as I can make out, and using contemporary newspapers and the photos found in his personal effects):

    • Isidro originally married Nena Barbast in the Philippines in 1931. The marriage was not a success and they separated, but, by 1934, "owing to the inflexibility of Philippine domestic laws" they had not been divorced.
    • [He then got engaged to a wealthy 15- (or 17-) year old heiress called Colletta Mulvihill, but she ran off (with Sid's engagement ring) and married a coal-truck driver called Tom Green (or Creen), 'for a lark'.

    coletta mulvihill and tom green 1934  © www.historicimages.com

    The marriage lasted 4 days ]

    Anyway,

    • He then married Gracia M Marques, but they were divorced on 17 Oct 1938.
    • Before the divorce became final, however, Isidro seems to have married Alamar Trevinio (also known as Josephine, b. 6 Nov 1915 in Texas) in Mexico c.27 May 1938.

    josephine paredes

    'Best wishes and Good luck May God Bless you, Yours Josephine'

    • There was later a suit for divorce filed in Texas, but it was withdrawn by Alamar. In fact, Isidro specified her as his wife and next of kin when he joined the ATA. They adopted two children (Linda Victoria, b. 6 Nov 1940 in San Antonio and Sidney John, b. 21 Jan 1940 in Chicago), and I think this must be them:

    Alamar Paredes and children possibly

    • Isidro then married Virginia Urbina on 31 Dec 1940 (again, without waiting for a divorce from Alamar). It appears that he and Virginia were later divorced.

    kate worledge possibly Kate Worledge, in a strikingly similar pose to Josephine...

    • Isidro then moved to the UK, and married 34-year-old Kate Worledge (a spinster, address 'The Blossom Hotel, Chester') in Chester, England, on 28 Jul 1941. He produced papers which showed that he was divorced from 'Gracia M Paredes, nee Marques'. Which was true, (she was indeed his second wife), but perhaps not quite the whole story...

    Anyway, Kate moved to London and gave up all claims on his estate; what was left of it eventually found its way to Josephine, who had moved to Manila.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Park, Cletus Lloyd

     M.547 First Officer  Cletus Lloyd 'Clyde' Park 

    flag usa

    b. 9 Jul 1909, Salem in Dent, MO  15 May 1941 to Jan-42 

     

    ata cletus park

    Houston Post, October 1941

         

     

    His father was Jesse L Park, mother Lula, and he had a brother and two married sisters: Sanford R, Mrs Alice Hendricks, and Mrs Lucile Faulk.

    I'm not sure how he came to be accepted for the ATA; his May 1941 flight test at Uplands Airport, Ottawa, said "This applicant carried out a very poor test and due to nervousness he is not considered suitable for ferry work. FLYING WAS DANGEROUS."

    This article appeared in  the 'Houston Post' in 1941:

    "Ferrying planes around on the British Isles is a tough job because there is so much fog. Take it from Clyde L Park, a 29-year-old former Houstonian who is now in England doing just that for the British Government.

    Mr. Park started learning to fly at the Cunningham Airport in Houston last January. After 35 hours of instruction he obtained his private licence. Then he hitchhiked to Canada and received five months of training at a Canadian government school.

    Park ferried a bomber to England for the RAF and stayed in Englnad to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary. He is stationed now at the White Waltham airdrome at Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

    In a letter written Sept 14 to "all the gang" at Cunningham Airport, which bore a sticker, "opened by examiner 1541", Park said, "I will try to tell you what little I can about England and my flying here."

    Scissors had been used on the letter, to clip out parts of a sentence in which Park apparently had told how long it took to cross the Atlantic and at what port he landed.

    "We came to London by train", he wrote. "There were 12 US pilots and we sure blew our top the first two nights in London. Night life is quite gay in the old city, but part of it sure has been hit hard. They sent us on to White Waltham airdrome where they gave us two months training, ground school and flying. My first ship they put me in was a Harvard, which is the North American trainer with a constant speed prop, flaps and retractable gear. Boy, did I have my hands full? Ha!"

    "I had an English instructor and he had a lot of patience or I never would have made it. He soloed me in two hours and I got about 10 hours on the Harvard. I went from there to [Lysanders], Battles, Hurricanes, then Spits."

    "I have flown every single motor type of aircraft they have and I think the Spitfire is the sweetest one of them all. It is fast as hell but very easy to handle and doesn't have any bad tricks."

    "We ferry all over the British Isles and when we have had a few months' experience on single motors they send us back to school and give us twin motor conversion. I am about due for my twins now."

    "I like the job OK if the weather would stay good. But this stuff is hell, you can't tell 15 minutes ahead what it is like. We have lost two of the boys that came over with me. One flew into the hills in Scotland and the other flew into the Irish Sea. The damn soup closed in on them."

    "It is good experience as we get to fly so many different types of aircraft, and it shakes you sometimes when you get one that you know nothing about where all the knobs and gadgets are. All they give us is notes on the take off, revs and cruise and you have to figure the rest out."

    "Did you know Clyde Forman? He is here, doing OK. He was on the boat with Nance and one of three that got here."

    Park said his rating now is first officer, with two stripes in the shoulder."


    Hawker Hind

    d. 30 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hind K6838 crashed into high ground on Eaglesham Moor 10mi S of Glasgow in snowstorm. He had failed to get a weather forecast for the route before taking off.

    ----

    ... And I found this photo in his file:

    ata cletus park photo in file

    but I don't know who she is...


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Perlick, Robert Edmund

     M.248  First Officer Robert Edmund 'Bob' Perlick 

    flag usa

      b. 12 Dec 1903, San Francisco, CA 9 Sep 1940 to 20 Mar 1941 

     ata bob perlick 1930 1930  ata bob perlick 1939 1939

     ata bob perlick 

    With thanks to Robert Stitt

     

     

    Ed. High School, 1 yr of college

    His first wife Berndine [Myers] was killed in a car accident in 1928

    prev. Corporal in US Army Apr 1917 to Feb 1919, then a charter pilot

    He competed in the 1937 Bendix Air Derby from Los Angeles to Cleveland, (won by Frank Fuller) but damaged his Beechcraft in a ground-loop, and in the following year (won by Jaqueline Cochran, later of the ATA) he finished outside the time allowed for completion.

    For the 1939 race, he was due to fly Amelia Earhart's old Lockheed Vega but it was by then too slow to be competitive and he withdrew before the start.

    In 1939, he was one of "about 20 people in the world who make a living as 'sky-writers' - using smoke to write letters a mile long at 125mph." In May he wrote a new record-length message of 23 letters: HELLO NAVY - DRINK PEPSI-COLA to welcome the fleet home to Wilmington, CA.

    On 6 Jun 1940, he flew Beechcraft Staggerwing NC16441 from Turtle Bay, Mexico to Lindbergh Field, San Diego, CA

     Address in 1940: Grapevine, Texas; later 24 W 55 St, New York.


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    One accident: 25 October 1940, when he did a wheels-up landing in a Fairey Battle after engine failure.

    Seconded to AtFero 20 Mar 1941


    He held the record for a Montreal to Scotland crossing, 19hrs 50min.

    His flights for AtFero as an ATA pilot in 1941 include:

       From  Aircraft Notes
    23 May - 2 Jun Bahamas PBY Catalina W8428  
    4 Jun - 9 Jun  UK Liberator AM918 (Passenger)

    Three Liberators were initially converted to Liberator C.Mk.I (for "cargo") freighters: (AM915AM918AM920) and used on the Transatlantic for returning aircraft ferry pilots to Canada

    AM918 (after being transfered to BOAC with civil registry G-AGDR) was shot down in error by a Spitfire over the English Channel on 15 February 1942 with all nine on board killed

    10 Jun - 4 Jul Montreal Hudson V AM815  
    5 Jul - 8 Jul UK Liberator AM920 (Passenger) Liberator C.Mk.I see AM918
    9 Jul - 24 Jul Montreal Hudson V AE644  
    25 Jul - 6 Aug UK Liberator AM260 (Passenger) 14 Aug 1941: B-24 Liberator AM260 crashed and burned on takeoff from Heathfield, Ayr. 22 killed including 4 ATA pilots
    6 Aug -11 Aug  Montreal Hudson III V9184 Crashed at Moncton, N.B. on 11 Aug
    15 Aug - 22 Aug Montreal Hudson III V9190  
    25 Aug - 3 Sep UK Liberator AM258 (Passenger)  
    3 Sep - 12 Sep Montreal Hudson III AE540  
    13 Sep - 19 Sep UK Liberator AM920 (Passenger) Liberator C.Mk.I  see AM918
    1 Oct - 3 Nov Montreal Liberator AL518 sold to Scottish Aviation for spares Sep 19, 1946
    4 Dec - 31 Dec Montreal Liberator AL556 hit obstruction on landing and undercarriage collapsed at Thruxton Jan 26, 1942

     

    He was still a ferry pilot in Mar 1945, then returned to airline flying, then real estate.

    d. 1981 - San Bernadino, CA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Petach, Julius

     M.633  2nd Officer Julius 'Pete' Petach 
     flag usa   b. 12 Aug 1916, McKeesport, PA 3 Aug 1941 to 2 Aug 1942 

     ata julius petatch 1933  1933

     ata julius petach 1944 1944    

     

    Father: John Petach; mother Helen [Plovajka], both originally from Slovakia

    Ed. Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH

    prev. Commercial Flying for Riddle Aeronautical Institute, Arcadia;

    Flight Cadet in USAAC Aug 1940 - Mar 1941

    Address in 1941: 1808 Tacoma Ave, McKeesport, PA


    Postings: 1FPP

    Off sick from 16 Nov 1941 to 18 Mar 1942 after an aircraft crash:

    - 15 Nov 1941, he made a forced landing in an Oxford after engine failure; severely injured ("numerous gashes on his forehead and arms"). Responsibility not established.

    Also,

    - 1 Aug 1942,  he mishandled the controls and the tail rose too quickly when taking off in a Walrus (pilot blamed)

    "A safe pilot, desperately keen and over-anxious to get on. Is very over-confident, which can be said to be his only fault, and requires rather severe handling to be held in restraint."

    He met Helen Richey, also from McKeesport, during his training, Later he said of her, "that girl has enough flying ability for three people. She can handle any plane they give her and was flying Spitfires when I left. She asked me to tell her family that she is all right."


    1942-44 Joined Pan American C.N.A.C. and flew supplies from India to China, over the Himalayas - see CNAC Captain Julius Petach

    ata petach and allen CNAC 1944 (l), with Peter Gouterie and Ray Allen (ex-ATA)

    "They don't bother to go to church, these hard-bitten pilots who are flying the Hump, China's life line over the Roof of the World.. 'They don't have to', says cocky, cynical little Captain Julius Petach, all man, every inch of his brief five-foot-two who has followed the adventure trail from his home in comfortable, middle-class Tahoma Street in Port Vue to the sky lanes over Burma and India and China."

    He said, "There's been more prayin' in the last year and a half on the route over the Hump than in any other country. In fact, there's plenty of time when all you've got left is a prayer." Pittsburg Post-Gazette

    [In the interview, he claimed to have previously delivered planes 'across the Atlantic', so it's possible that he briefly joined RAF Ferry Command between leaving ATA and joining CNAC in November 1942.]

    m. 1947 in Winchester, VA,  ata elise petach Antoinette Elise [Hach, d.2010] (2 children)

    Later a Customer Engineer for IBM

    d. 8 Oct 2000 (age 84) - Louisville, KY

    Buried Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, KY

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Phillips, Harold Cecil

     M.111 * First Officer  Harold Cecil Phillips 

    flag usa

     b. 25 Apr 1912, Fort Worth, TX  17 Aug 1940 to 13 Jan 1941 

            

     

    m. 

    USA Licence 26943

    prev. Army Air Corps instructor at Love Field, TX

    Address in 1940: 1112, Plum St, Graham, TX


    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    "Did good work in this Pool [2FPP]"

    Did 87 hrs ferrying on 16 different Class I and II aircraft.

    He and Horace Heising were actually reported "killed in combat with Nazi attackers over London" in October 1940, but he sent a couple of cablegrams to his wife and mother (Mrs T W Christie) saying "I am all right. Letter follows. Hoping to see you Christmas."


    On his return to the US, her discounted the effectiveness of anti-aircraft fire. "If they get to shooting at your level, you just move up and wait until they find your new range." [Mind you, as he flew only over the Atlantic and the UK, I'm not sure how he knew this, unless he was referring to the British AA fire.]

    Transferred to AtFero 13 Jan 1941

     Sailed from Batavia to New York with Horace Heising in Feb 1942.

    Post-WWII, Tax Assessor-Collector in Hardeman County, TX 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Pickard, Nicholas Gibbs

     M.483 First Officer  Nicholas Gibbs Pickard 

    flag usa

     b. 5 Nov 1916,Brooklyn NY  23 May 1941 to 6 Jun 1942 

     ata nicholas pickard

     ata nicholas pickard 1948 1948    

     

    Father: Ward Wilson Pickard, a lawyer; Mother: Alice [Rossington]

    Ed. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. Engineering)

    Prev. Airline Engineer, pilot for TWA and "deep sea navigator"

    prev. exp. 400hrs

    Address in 11941: 131 Satterthwaite Ave, Nutley NJ


    Arrived in the UK 2 Jun 1941

    Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP, 4bFPP

    Reprimanded in January 1942 for flying aircraft without permission

    One accident, his fault:

    - 10 Jan 1942, when he mishandled the brake lever on landing his Rapide and the aircraft tipped over onto its nose.

    He divided opinion among his instructors and COs; either:

    "A capable pilot but flies in bad weather far too much. Grumbles a lot and 'shoots a line' which makes him a troublesome pilot" (Peter Mursell), or

    "This pilot is dependable, conscientious and tireless. By applying his ingenuity and a comprehensive knowledge of meteorology to the problems of flying in difficult weather he carries out flights such that critics who lack his skill and vision may conclude that he is a so-called 'bad weather pilot'. I am unable to subscribe to the above remarks to the effect that he 'shoots a line'; indeed I have found the reverse to be the case." (Douglas Fairweather)

    Returned to the USA on the 18 Jun 1942 with fellow ATA ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Kenneth Fogelberg, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.

    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command


    NA B 45

     d. 20 Sep 1948 (age 31) when he and George Krebs were test-piloting a North American B-45 Tornado, which exploded in flight near Alpaugh, CA.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Pickup, Chester Harold

     M.---  2nd Officer Chester Harold Pickup 

    flag usa

    b. 18 Apr 1902, Kansas City, Kansas  3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

            

     

    prev. Air Pilot; 12 years with Curtis Wright Flying Service

    prev. exp. 3000 hrs

    Address in 1940: 1701 Thurber St, Burbank CA

    d. 28 May 1964 - Houston TX 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Pierce, James Robert

     W.624 First Officer   James Robert Pierce Jr
     flag usa  b. 19 Feb 1916, Ashdown, AK  7 Jul 1941 to 28 May 1942 

     

         

     

    Father also James Robert Pierce (a Deputy Sheriff. d. 1942), mother Mary [Anderson]

    Ed. Ashdown High, Hendrix College, Conway AK

    prev. Inspector for Government in Engineering (Buildings and Levees) . Commercial Pilot

    2nd Lt. in USAAC May 1940-May 41, stationed at Kelly Field, San Antonio TX

    prev. exp. 405 hrs


    Postings: EFTS (Instructor's Course)

    Contract Terminated 28 May 1942 - Unknown Reason


     d. May 1975 - Arkansas

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Pierce, Winnabelle Rawson (W.66)

     W.66  First Officer Winnabelle 'Winnie' Rawson Pierce 
     flag usa  b. 11 Dec 1916, Des Moines IA  10 Feb-42 to 15 May-44

     ata winnie rawson pierce 1942 1942

         

     

    née Coffee

    Ed. Wellesley College, MA (B.A.)

    prev: Pilot and Secretary ("private secretary to President Thomas H McKoy of the Monocoupe Airplane Corp.")

    Took her step-father's surname (Dante Pierce) when her mother remarried.

    Address in 1942: 250 Harrison Ave Apr 1E, Mineola, NY

    Off sick from 25 Oct to 19 Dec 1942 after a cycle accident, and from 11 Mar to 29 Mar 1944 with jaundice.

    Two accidents, neither her fault:

    - 11 Jul 1942, forced landing in a Hurricane after engine failure, and

    - 12 Dec 1943, her Argus injured an "elderly cyclist" (age 71, deaf) while taxying. "The pilot had taken all reasonable precautions."

    m. 1945 USAAF Col. Peter Beasley (d. 1957)

    m. 1958-68 Giuseppe Olmi

    In 1979 (at age 62), "Winabelle, the grandmother of three, terrorizes [the neighbourhood] on her motorcycle and sidecar, raises bull snakes and Chesapeake Bay retrievers, teaches horseback riding and still flies at least twice a week."

    "She decorated the sidecar with a woman's face, hair and glued-on breasts"

    d. 2 Aug 1997 - Tesuque, NM

    "Winnie is a reminder to all of us to have fun. She did wonderful, crazy, fun, marvelous things."

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Plant, Jane Graham (W.109)

     W.109 First Officer   Jane Graham Plant
     flag usa b. 25 Jul 1922, New York, NY  31 Mar-43 to Oct-45 

     jane plant ATA  RAFM

         

     

     Father: George H., mother Eleanor G. [Raup]

    Ed. Lincoln School, Lock Haven, PA; Forest Park High School. MD

    ata jane plant 1936 She started early...

    "Beginning her interest in airplanes at the age of 12, while residing here two years ago, Jane Plant is continuing her study of the ins and outs of aviation at Atlanta, GA" - Lock Haven Express, 1936

    "Tearing down motors of giant airships is Jane's idea of having fun." "I like to see what makes 'em perk", she says, "I'm just a grease monkey."

    prev: Ground instructor, pilot; Instructor for Curtiss-Wright

    ata jane plant 1940 Jane's 1940 school photo

    prev. exp. 1100 hrs

    Address in 1942: 3906 Woodbine Ave, Baltimore, MD

    She sailed to join the ATA on 9 May 1943 from New York, with Marion Orr.

    ata jane plant 1944 

     "Second Officer Plant also introduced her parents to some new slang in her letters. 

    Landing practice for the ATA is "circuits and bumps". An easy job is a "piece of cake", and a worried person is "in a flap".

    She writes of 4 o'clock tea and of the delighted discovery of apple butter by the English." [Ewww]

    As an afterthought, she adds "I think I'll be a test pilot after the war." - Evening Sun, Baltimore, 1944

    ata jane plant 1945

    "It was farewell day for the Air Transport Auxiliary yesterday. Here, First Officer Jane Plant of Baltimore, USA, explains the controls of a Spitfire to young Michael Tinne, of Eton ATC. One day he hopes to fly, too. Jane has delivered 185 Spitfires as well as other types of machine." Sunday Mirror, 30 Sep 1945

    She sailed back to the US in March 1946, with Suzanne Humphreys Ford; she had worked for the ATA for over two years, and was still only 23 years of age.

    She met her husband after she had a letter published in the 'Baltimore Sun' in 1963, which made some "facetious comments on the prospects for women astronauts."

    "Then the telephone rang. No, it was not NASA asking how much I weighed or whether I get airsick. It was a young man I had met that week at work... A few weeks later we were married."

     m. 1963 George D Spencer [d. 2006]

    She was also the original inspiration behind the 'ATA History Project', which led eventually to www.airtransportaux.com

    d. 17 Jun 2007, Baltimore

    Her writings, correspondence, flight logs, lists, printed matter, videotapes of interviews, clippings, and photographs are in the Hoover Institution Library & Archives: https://www.hoover.org/library-archives

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Potter, Polly Bernice (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet Polly Bernice Potter 
     flag usa  b. 1 Oct 1911, Portland OR 23 Apr-42 to 1 Aug-42 

     ata polly potter ross 1949 1949

         

     

     Father: Collyer Talmadge Potter, stepmother Neva J [Patterson]

    Ed. Grammar School & High School

    prev: Office, Airplane Sales, Demonstration

    Learnt to fly while a secretary for a couple of flying schools (Pargon Flying Service and Pounder Flying Service) between 1928 and 1931, then built up her hours by working in sales and charter companies for another 10 years. In 1938-9 she moved to California to study aerobatics, then got a job with Falcon Aircraft Corp. to do "sales work, demonstrating and office management" until the end of 1941.

    "If you believe all the hard luck stories you hear every day, it is hard to be convinced that the ladies are actually earning their living thru aviation. But here's Polly Potter in Portland to prove it is done now and then. As secretary of the Pargon Flying Service, Polly is able to keep both herself and old man depression pretty well up in the air most of the time." News of the Ninety-nines, Northwest Section, May 1932

    m. 1932 Carl J Forsstrom Jr [divorced, one son Don b. 1934]

     prev exp: 835 hrs

    Address in 1942: 2945 N Williamette Bvd, Portland OR


    [Resigned - illness]. 


    Flew back to Baltimore, Maryland on BOAC's Boeing 314 flying boat “Berwick” G-AGCA, on the 22 Aug 1942.

    In July 1943, she married an RAAF pilot, Flying Officer John Nigel Ross, in Los Angeles, and post-WWII they ran a flight school in his home town of Kanimbla, Holbrook, NSW.

    She then moved to San Diego in c. 1966, worked in Veterans Administration, and was a founding member of Silver Wings and the Flying Samaritans. [John Ross seems to have stayed behind in Australia, as he died there in 2000.]

    d. 17 Aug 1997 - Escondido, CA

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Price, Harold Lindsey

     M.--- * First Officer  Harold Lindsey Price 
     flag usa b. 21 Oct 1905, Alexandria City, Virginia  20 Feb to 7 Nov 1941 

     

         

     

     Father: Overton Westfeldt Price (d. 1914), Mother: Alice Virginia [Lindsey]

    Ed. Alexandria; Augusta Military Academy, Staunton; Naval Aviation Training School, Pensacola, FL

    prev. US Marine Corps pilot (7 years, including Haiti); crop duster from 1934

      Draft Card, dated 21 Jan 1941


     Postings:

     


     Staff Sergeant, US Marine Corps

    d. 19 Jan 1943 in an air crash near Homestead, Florida

     

    Commemorated at Presbyterian CemeteryAlexandriaAlexandria CityVirginiaUSA


    * File not seen

  • Pringle, Philo Beveridge

     M.249 First Officer  Philo Beveridge Pringle 

    flag usa

      b. 24 Feb 1915, Los Angeles CA

    4 Sep 1940 to 26 Apr 1941;

    10 Jan 1942 to 26 Feb 1943, and

    13 Sep 1944 to 30 Nov 1945

     

     ata philo pringle 1941 1941      

    Ed. High School Diploma, Stanford University

    prev. Aircraft Sales and Insurance

    Address in 1940: 1357 N Vine St, Hollywood, CA. Later, Bel Air Bay Club, Pacific Palisades, CA


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP

    Off sick from 21 Mar to 26 Apr 1941 with a duodenal ulcer, then from 17 Dec 1942 to 21 Jan 1943 because he was 'Unhappy'.

    2 accidents: 

    - 2 Nov 1940, forced landing in a Hurricane after he got lost;

    - 20 May 1942, forgot to lower the undercarriage of his Anson. Blamed due to 'poor cockpit drill.'

    "A first-class officer and a sound pilot of good judgement, who is hard-working and most willing. He is a man of pleasant disposition and will be an excellent influence in the Unit [6 FPP]."

     On a visit home in 1941, Philo said "Those old World War stories about British officer aloofness and seeming snobbishness toward Americans and even their own colonials are unbelievable today. The British go out of their way to do things for men wearing an emblem showing they have volunteered from other countries."

    "Everybody seems to have plenty of good, wholesome food, though fancy steaks are practically extinct. And fresh fruit comes mighty high, too. Once when I had delivered a ship to the Isle of Man the weather closed in and I had to put up overnight at a hotel where the landlady was frantic on account of a lemon. The good woman actually owned a lemon, and it was so valuable she was afraid it might be stolen, so she hid it carefully. Then she forgot where she had put it."


    d. 30 Aug 1946 [Age 31]

    The Sacramento Bee, 6 Nov 1948 - "The wreckage of a plane and the skeletons of four [later revealed as five] people have been found by a hunter in the mountains 40 miles southwest of Seligman, Arizona.

    The plane may be the one reported missing more than 2 years ago on a flight from Los Angeles to St. Louis. The twin engined Cessna left August 30, 1946 with Arthur M. Freund, 66, a retired Missouri manufacturer; his wife, Hattie; his son, Stephen, 35; a male nurse, John Coles, and a pilot, Philo B. Pringle"

    The plane had hit the northwest slope of 7,000-ft Mt. Hope, near the summit. The wreckage was identified by Philo's brother Larry and father Robert.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Privensal, Albert Joseph

     M.653  First Officer Albert Joseph Privensal 
     flag usa   b. 23 Feb 1904, Mt. Tabor, VT 23 Jul 1941 to 22 Jul 1942 

     

         

     

    Father Joseph Privensal (b. Canada, d. 1954)

    Ed. Hartford High, Georgetown University

    Address in 1941: 110 Montowese St, Hartford, Conn

    prev. "Retail and Wholesale Oil Business on own account" (he worked as a salesman in a gas station).

    RCAF Sgt Pilot 31 Dec 1940 - 18 Jul 1941

    prev. exp. 601 hrs

    m. 29 Jul 1926 in Stamford Conn, Elizabeth (Bessie) [West], 2 children


     Postings: 4aFPP, 8FPP, 1FPP

    4 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 2 Oct 1941, his Magister ran into a Wellington when he overshot on landing,

    - 8 Jan 1942 overshot landing in a Hurricane

    - 20 Feb 1942, he was sitting in a Spitfire which was damaged by another one landing,

    - 10 May 1942, a forced landing in a Spitfire due to engine failure.

     "A good and reliable pilot"


    m. 16 Apr 1943 Esther Solveig Carlton (b. 1922 in Rangoon, Burma) in Calcutta, India

    d. 19 Nov 1943  - Kunming, Yunnan, China, flying for CNAC (China National Aviation Corp.)

    "He crash landed a China National Aircorp No. 59 ( Douglas C-53) due to bad weather near the air field. His remains were shipped to his widow in Calcutta where they were cremated."

    Memorial in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Hartford Co. Conn.

    Also commemorated at Aviation Martyrs Cemetery in Nanjing, China.

    See CNAC Captian Albert Joseph Privensal

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Rabinowitz, Isy

     M.617  First Officer Isy Rabinowitz 
     flag usa  b. 24 Apr 1914, Manhattan NY 17 Jul 1941 to 28 Aug 1943 

     

         

     Ed. Hebrew Technical Institute, NY (Auto Engineering)

    m. 1936 Elsie [Neufield] (divorced October 1942)

    Address in 1941: 1575 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn

    Next of kin: Mother: 571 Union Ave, Bronx, NYC

    prev. Commercial Pilot

    prev. exp 1200 hrs


    Postings: 3FPP, 1FPP

    Off sick from 23 Mar to 13 Apr 1943 after a tonsillectomy

    He was

    - fined in Jan 1942 for 'making a false statement to O.C. of Pool',

    - suspended for 3 days in Nov-42 for landing after time, and

    - severely reprimanded in Mar-43 for non-observance of airfield regulations.

    4 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 5 Jan 1942, he failed to control a Tomahawk landing and ground-looped,

    - 10 Jan 1942, when his Beaufighter slipped on  a wet runway and collided with a Hampden;

    - 18 Feb 1942, his Blenheim lost an airscrew spinner and he force landed, and

    - 13 Jan 1943, a fault in the hydraulic system of a Mosquito meant that the undercarriage collapsed on landing.

    "Above average as a pilot" 

    "This pilot was exceedingly keen up to April [1942], since then he has been most uncooperative"

    m. 30 Jul 1943 Joan [Lunt] from Oswestry, in Chester, UK

    They sailed back to the USA in August 1943 on the 'Queen Elizabeth'.


    They then changed their name to Lashmore (her maiden name), moved to Florida and had 2 children. Joan became a naturalised US Citizen.

    He was a pilot for Riddle Air Lines and Mercury Motors. "He has flown the Delayed Early Warning system route in the Arctic and taken long hops to South America."

     Joan d. 1988

    Isy  d. 20 May 2000 - Florida

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Raines, Hazel Jane (W.79)

     W.79  2nd Officer  Hazel Jane Raines

    flag usa

      b. 21 Apr 1916, Waynesboro GA  14 Apr-42 to 24 Jul 43


     ata hazel raines findagrave

    Hazel Jane Raines (1916-1956) - Find A Grave Memorial

     hazel raines ATA ATA  ata hazel raines 1943 1943  

     

    Ed. Wesleyan College, Macon "B. S. and Comm."

    Next of kin: Mrs Bessie P Raines (mother)

    "First Georgia woman to receive an unlimited commercial pilot's license"

    Vice-Chairman of the Florida Chapter of the 99s, the asociation of women fliers. [The women's husbands were called 49-and-a-halfers, btw]

    prev: Flight Instructor (Thompson School of Aviation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

    prev. exp. 1,000 hrs

    Address in 1942: 212 Riverside Dr, Macon, GA 

    Off sick from 1 to 23 Sep 1942 with influenza, 11 to 28 Dec 1942 with "hospitalization", 2 Mar to 2 Jun after an accident, and on the 11 July 1943 with "bad eyesight"

    The accident was on 2 Mar 1943, in Spitfire IXc EN205; "Whilst flying in unfavourable weather, the engine lost power. Turning back the aircraft went into a cloud and the engine failed completely. The aircraft commenced a left hand spin [although this is disputed] and the pilot regained control too low to prevent the aircraft from crashing into two cottages [nr. Upavon, Wiltshire]." Luckily, she remained safely in the cockpit until she was rescued, suffering concussion and minor injuries. She later referred to the accident: "I was flying a Spitfire and it quit".

    Her ATA contract was terminated on medical grounds on the 24 July 1943, and she sailed back to the USA on the 'Queen Elizabeth' on 5 Aug 1943, with fellow ATA ferry pilot Russell Gibson (M.609).

    Although "thrilled" to be back in Florida in 1943, where she had so many friends, "England's wonderful", she said, "English fortitude under air raids is remarkable."

    After the ATA, Hazel attended the Army Air Force School for Applied Tactics in Orlando, then the J P Riddle Aviation Instructor's School Coral Gables, Florida, which was operated on behalf of the Brazilian Air Ministry.. 

    In 1950, she was the national President of the 'Order of Fifinella', an association for 1,500 ex-WASPs who were pilots during WWII.

    By 1952, she was a First Lieutenant, and the WAC/WAF Procurement (i.e. Recruiting) Officer for the Tampa Bay area. She was also the first woman Reserve Pilot recalled to duty for the Korean War.

     ata hazel raines WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

    d. 4 Sep 1956, of a heart attack at her flat in Nell Gwynn House, Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, London. A porter found her dead in bed and called the police. At the time, she was a USAF Staff Advisor, stationed at  the US 3rd Air Force Headquarters in South Ruislip, Middlesex..

     

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Rawlings, Lee Roy

     M.426 First Officer  Lee Roy Rawlings 
     flag usa b. 22 Sep 1918, Waco, Texas   29 Mar 1941 to 28 Apr 1943

       1936

       https://ww2irishaviation.com/kk295.htm    

     

    Father: William Allison Rawlings, a Manager of a Goodyear Branch Station; Mother: Laura [King]

     Ed. Sunset High School, Dallas; N Texas Agricultural College, Arlington, TX. Aeronautical Engineering

    prev. Cadet, US Army Air Corps, Jan to Oct 1939; Instructor 'in charge of propeller dept", Love Field, Dallas

    prev. exp. 314 hrs

    Address in 1941: 2542 W 12th St, Dallas, TX

    "Scar on right side"

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940


     Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

     Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

     

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 18 Nov 1941, he struck a post during the landing run of his Battle K9928

    - 15 Feb 1942, a forced landing near Gatehouse-of-Fleet in Master W8862 after persisting too far in bad weather

    - 10 Mar 1943, the tailwheel strut collapsed after a normal landing in Walrus I W3100

     

    "A reliable and hardworking pilot who has proved his worth on Class 5 work"

    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command


    "His Ferry Command card shows that he signed on with Ferry Command on July 19, 1943. He captained at least 18 aircraft from North America to Europe but also to India and the Middle East on two occasions. "

    Sailed to the US on SS Queen Elizabeth, 17 Nov 1943 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Edmund Jarrettand Gilbert Tobin

     

    On 10 Feb 1945, he was the pilot of Liberator KK295 which ditched on Portsalon beach in County Donegal, Eire:

      from https://ww2irishaviation.com/kk295.htm

    "To this day one can find metal structural parts sticking out of the sand on Portsalon beach at low tides"

     

    m. 20 Dec 1947 in Dallas, June Edna Ann [Cameau] (b. 1920 in Montreal, Canada), 3 children (2 of whom sadly did not survive their first day)

    They settled in Tulia, Swisher, TX and "Lee was employed by the High Plains Hail Prevention Association as a pilot in their Cloud seeding operations. Indeed, he almost met with a mishap on the early operations when the landing gear of the Curtiss P-40 he was flying got stuck up and he had to abandon the seeding effort to concentrate on lowering his gear manually. This was reported widely in Texas newspapers in June 1951." - https://ww2irishaviation.com/kk295.htm

     

     d. 15 Dec 1980 - Plainview, TX, while working on a crop-spraying aircraft which became engulfed in flames at Hale County Airport.

    Commemorated at Plainview Memorial ParkPlainviewHale CountyTexas


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Renicker, Earl Lamar

     M.510 First Officer  Earl Lamar Renicker 
    flag usa   b. 16 Nov 1906, Minot ND 23 Mar 1941 to 7 Feb 1942 

    ata earl renicker  ATA

         

     

     Father: Sherman Edward Renicker (a shoemaker), Mother: Della Marie [Thornton], of 803 Dayton, Wichita, Kansas

    Ed. Hutchinson High School, Kansas

     prev. Pressman for McCormick-Armstrong , Wichita; Pilot for Vacin Flying Service, Enid, Oklahoma; 2nd Lieut., Air Corps Reserves 1940-41

    prev. exp. 725 hrs

    "A very doubtful starter. Flies unintelligently but might be given the chance of some work in Class I before firmly deciding whether or no he is suitable for conversion to Class II" - Initial Flight Test Report, 1 April 1941


    Postings: 2FPP, 14FPP

    In June 1941 he applied for permission to possess a .45 automatic "for self protection in case of emergency"

    He completed Class III and IV training in October 1941, but "in view of the fact that his claim to 700 hrs previous experience has not been verified and that he has not been thoroughly tried out in Class 2, his progression to more difficult types should be closely supervised"

     

    4 accidents, 1½ his fault:

    - 30 Sep 1941, he 'mishandled' the brakes of his Proctor BV545 at Netheravon, and nosed over while taxying

    - 7 Dec 1941, the port leg of his Hampden AT145 collapsed, after a normal landing at High Ercall

    - 22 Dec 1941, taxying another Hampden, AT174, under ground crew guidance, the tail hit a barbed wire fence (jointly to blame)

    "The three accidents he has had recently rather indicate a certain carelessness on his part and I suggest that he is given a final warning to the effect that another accident directly attributable to his negligence will result in his dismissal" 14 FPP CO Bobby Wardle, 29 Dec 1941

     

     

    d. 7 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hampden AT231 crashed on Lord Bradford's Estate, Weston under Lizard, Staffs after port engine fire.

    He and Bill Elliott  were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery,Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon.

     

    ata william elliott funeral 1  ata william elliott funeral 2

    "Senior officers were present, with American members of the ATA. RAF men bore the two coffins, which were covered with flags, the Stars and Stripes of America. Air Transport Auxiliary pilots followed the coffin. An RAF Chaplain officiated, and the vicar of Timperley, the Rev. Dr Lindare, assisted.

    Mrs Emily Lawrence, with whom Renicker was billeted, was at the funeral" - Manchester Evening News, via George Cogswell

      via George Cogswell

     

    ATA Memorial Earl Renicker  with thanks to Barbara Grayson

    Earl's mother wrote to his landlady, Mrs Lawrence: "It just seems like I can't get over it, I was looking forward to seeing him this spring. It was such a terrible shock. You all were so nice to give him such a nice funeral, and I'm so appreciative. 

    Honey, I just write awhile and then cry awhile."


     Postscript

    Although Earl said that he was 'single' and specified his mother Della as his next of kin on his ATA Form, it later turned out that this was not quite the whole truth: he had in fact married Thelma Jane [Lavigne] on the 26 Aug 1929 in Spearfish, Lawrence, ND, and they had a daughter, Dorothy Ilene (b. 1926). Thelma wrote to the ATA in March 1942:

    "I am writing in regards for information concerning the death of my husband. Mr Earl Renicker who was killed Feb 7. We received word through his mother in Wichita, Kans of his death. We have tried many times to get in tuch with him through his mother with out success. Family trouble. We have a daughter Dorothy. She went to visit her grandmother & while their a Mr Ralph Holcombe who was in service with her father in England. He told her about her father & the work he was doing in England. That was the first information we had in regards to him."

    Thelma then volunteered the information that she and Earl had divorced 19 May 1941, 2 months after he joined the ATA, but still insisted that Dorothy (age 16) should be his next of kin.

    The ATA Insurance, plus the balance of his estate, amounted to £2,103 16s 11d. This was ready to be paid by September 1942, but was held up "awaiting decision of US Courts as to legal claimant".

    The only clue I have as to what happened is in a letter from Earl's mother Della, dated 12 Oct 1942:

    "Dear Sir: In answer to your recent letter I want to say that I received the disc and chain of Earl's and will see that his daughter gets it, and I want to thank you very much for sending it, also thank you for every thing. You people have certainly been good to us,

    Sincerely, Mrs S E Renicker"

     

    Dorothy later married a Mr Paul E Rusher in Ohio, and died in 2007.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Ressegger, William James

     M.622  First Officer  William James 'Bill' Ressegger
     flag usa b. 3 Sep 1917, Buckhannon, WV  2 Jun 1941 to 1 Jun 1942

       1936, when a student at GWU

         

     

    Next of kin: (Mother) Margaret Ressegger

    Ed. George Washngton University, Washington DC

    prev. Private pilot. salesman; US Army 6 Sep to 25 Oct 1940

    prev. exp. 59 hrs

    Address in 1941: 3461 14th St, NW, Washington DC


     Postings: 4FPP

    2 accidents, both his fault:

    - 18 Feb 1942, forced landing in Hind K5440 due to coolant leak (he knew about this before take-off, so was held responsible)

    - 10 Apr 1942, he failed to control the swing when taxying downwind, in Hurricane AG194.

     

    "A pilot of fully average ability, however with limited navigational experience"... "a good officer & reliable pilot who seems to have been unfortunate with accidents"

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, Russell Gates, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, John Morrison, and Clarence Conner.


    US Navy/ATC then from 1944 joined TWA as a navigator and pilot, flying Lockheed Constellations and DC-4s

     

    e.g. co-pilot on DC-4 from Dharan, Saudi Arabia to New York, arriving 14 Mar 1946, and Captain of Lockheed Constellation NC86507 from Paris to New York on 9 May 1946

       1946 (pilot on TWA Skymaster La Guardia - Cairo flight) - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

    m. 14 Oct 1948, Amal[e] P [Naccache] in Heliopolis, Egypt (2 children, Anne-Marie b. 1949 and William b. 1954)

    They were repatriated to the USA as refugees in Nov 1956, during the Suez Crisis in Egypt

     

     d. 4 Feb 1991, Los Angeles

    Amal d. 2005

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Rhonie, Aline (W.145)

     W.145  3rd Officer Aline 'Pat' Rhonie 
     flag usa   b. 16 Aug 1909, York PA 30 Nov 1943 to 19 Nov 1944 

     ata aline rhonie 1939 RAeC 1939

     

    Aline Rhonie Hofheimer

    dmairfield.com

       

     

    Father: Arthur B Hofheimer from Kentucky, Mother Helen Wolf [Milius, d. 1960] from Savannah Georgia (5 daughters)

    Her grandfather Nathan Hofheimer (d. 1927) was one of the founders of General Motors Corporation; they had a 3-400 acre estate in Warrenville, NJ. Her father Arthur was a wealthy stockbroker.

    née Aline Rhonie Hofheimer

    Ed. Dalton School, NYC. She was a keen horsewoman.

    The Hofheimers (Albert, Helen and 4 of their children Doris, (b. 1907 NYC), Aline, Helene (b. 1914 Warrenville NJ), and Natalie (b. 1917 Warrenville, NJ)) sailed from France to the USA in Sep 1926.

    m. 1928 in Manhattan, L Richard Bamberger (divorced 1930)

    She bought her first aeroplane in 1931, learnt to fly in Reno, NV and earned her transport license in December 1931.

    m. 1933 in Brookyn, "society aviator and nephew of Lady Astor", Richard Langhorne Brooks. "Using separate planes, they went on a 17,000 mile aerial honeymoon."

    (divorced 1937)

    ata aline rhonie In 1934, the first woman to fly solo from NYC to Mexico and back.

    Royal Aero Club Certificate 28 Sep 1939, on 'USA Commercial Licence'.

    She joined the Women's Voluntary Service and "helped evacuate London", then went to France in 1940 with the Red Cross before returning to the USA where she was the official representative for the Ambulance Corps of France, raising money for the Allied cause.

    prev exp: 2,713 hrs in England, France, USA and Mexico

    prev: portrait and landscape painter; fresco mural artist;

    aline muralpart part of Aline's 38m 'Aviation History' mural painted in 1938 in Hangar F of Roosevelt Field, now at the Smithsonian.

    Part of the Hofheimer family estate, owned by Aline, was sold in Jun 1943; "50 acres of artistically landscaped grounds, colonial residence completely furnished, garage, stables, swimming pool and two lakes."

     prev. WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, set up in Sep 1942 by Nancy Harkness Love with 27 highly-experienced women pilots)

    Address in 1943: 930 Fifth Ave, NYC


    Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP

     "With some 2,000 hrs experience before joining ATA this pilot's flying gave very little indication at the commencement of her training of this considerable past experience and she had difficulty in changing her ideas to that required by ATA. Her navigation was below standard and she needed additional hours to bring her up to the required standard."

    "Her flying was slow and not dependable"

    Renewed her Royal Aero Club Certificate (20367) on 28 Oct 1944

    Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary ("Failure to report to Senior Medical Officer Thame for admission to Station Sick Quarters where a bed was being reserved for her")

    ATA Total: 162 hrs on Magister, Proctor, Fairchild, Harvard, Spitfire, Oxford, Hurricane, Lysander, Master, Reliant, Swordfish and Moth.


    ata aline rhonie 1951 1951

     Later, President and Chairman of the Board of Allison Radar Corp.

    d. 7 Jan 1963 (age 54) - Long Island

    Her ashes were scattered in the sea from an aeroplane, and she is commemorated on the memorial at Warren Township, NJ.

    In 2010 she was awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.

    "Aline was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she never allowed it to choke her initiative. Her grandfather told her, 'You may not have money all your life, you know; you must learn to stand on your own two feet'."

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Richey, Helen (W.67)

     W.67 First Officer  Helen Richey 
     flag usa  b. 21 Nov 1909, McKeesport, PA 25 Mar 1942 to 10 Jan 1943 

     

    helen richey 1934 

    1934

     

    helen richey 1940 

    HFW

     

    helen richey 99s

    ATA

     
    ata helen richey 1932  

     

      

    Learnt to fly in 1930 after her father, Dr. J B Richey, bought her an aeroplane.

    Then, amongst other things,

    - she and co-pilot Frances Marsalis stayed airborne for 10 days in 1932, to set the women's' flight endurance record;

    ata helen richey outdoor girl 

    The plane was called a 'Thrush'

    - she won the premier air race at the first National Air Meet for Women, in 1934;

    - she was the first woman pilot to be licensed to fly airmail.

    - the world's first female commercial airline pilot, (for Central Airlines, for 8 months in 1934),  "but she was refused entry into the all-male pilots’ union. Central Airlines cut back on her flying assignments, preferring to use her for public appearances. In frustration, she resigned."

    - In 1936, she and Amelia Earhart came fifth in the Bendix transcontinental air race, and 

    - she set an altitude record of 18,000 ft for light aircraft in 1936.

    prev exp: 1,800 hrs

    Address in 1942: 2008 Jenny Lind St, McKeesport, PA


    She was in the 2nd group of American women to join the ATA: (Contracts Signed March-April 1942), with Ann Watson Wood (Maine) and Bernice 'Polly' Potter (Oregon).

    Postings: 15FPP, 1FPP

    ata helen richey 1942 San Franciso Examiner, Aug 1942

    4 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 21 Jun-42: Hurricane, stalled, damaged wingtip (pilot held responsible);

    - 21 Jul-42: Spitfire, overshot and hit "various objects" (pilot held responsible);

    - 14 Dec-42: Master II forced landing (pilot not responsible);

    - 3 Jan-43: Wellington, failed to control takeoff swing, wingtip broken off (pilot held responsible)

    "A well disciplined officer and a keen and willing worker. She is handicapped somewhat by her slight stature [she was 5ft 4in] but otherwise she has the makings of a most useful ferry pilot."

    ata helen harrison helen richey 1943

    "After a tiring day, the pilots find a well-cooked meal awaiting them in the Officers' Mess at the local airport. Helen Richey discusses English versus American cooking with her fellow-pilots" [although Helen Harrison doesn't seem that impressed] - Illustrated London News, March 1943

    Ernie Pyle described her as an 'old friend' and interviewed her. She said she had never seen a German plane in the air, and never heard a bomb drop. "In fact, her only personal casualty was when she fell off her bicycle in the blackout and had to be carried home, covered with mud and blood"

    Nevertheless, after her third 'at-fault' accident, her contract was terminated by the ATA (she said later she left because her mother was ill.)


     ata helen richey 1944     ata helen richey WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

    Helen as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) in 1944 (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph)

    After WWII, she was basically out of a job, and the large supply of ex-war male pilots meant that she saw no prospect of continuing with her life's passion, flying. She fell into depression.

    d. 7 Jan 1947 - apparent suicide due to barbiturate overdose, at her apartment in New York

    ata helen richey grave 

    buried Versailles Cemetery, McKeesport

    There is a permanent exhibition commemorating her life at the McKeesport History & Heritage Center:

    https://www.mckeesportheritage.org/helen-richey

    and also a book "Propeller Annie: The story of Helen Richey, the real first lady of the airlines" (Glenn Kerfoot, 1998)

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Robbins, Albert Sparks

     M.301  First Officer Albert Sparks Robbins 

    flag usa

      b. 3 Jun 1909, New Jersey 4 Sep 1940 to 7 Mar 1942 

           

     Ed. High Scool, 1 yr college

    m. Martha, 3 daughters

    Next of kin: Originally his mother, Mrs M P Sparks, 562 Washington St, Camden, N.J., later changed to (Guardian) Orval M Rosier, V.P. American Airlines, N Beach Airport, NY

    prev. a chauffeur

    prev. exp. 3,500 hrs


    Postings: 4FPP, 2FPP

    Suspended for a week in December 1940 for "dangerous shooting up of Prestwick", in a Spitfire.

    Off sick:

    - from 16 Jan to 26 Mar 1941 with appendicitis;

    - 7 Nov 1941 to 25 Jan 41 with a fractured hand, and

    - 7 Feb to 7 Mar 1942 with influenza.

    One accident: 10 Jul 1941 in a Rapide, forced landing due to engine failure.

     "Good pilot", but absent for various reasons.

     He failed to turn up for an appointment with the Medical Officer on the 4 Mar 1942, and his contract was suspended and then terminated. This led to his service being categorised as "unsatisfactory".



     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    download grey

  • Robertson, George Arthur

     M.608 First Officer  George Arthur 'Robbie' Robertson 
     flag usa b. 12 Aug 1910, Henniker NH  12 Jun 1941 to 11 Mar 1942 

     ata george robertson 1951 1951

         

     

    Ed. High School and Technical School, ACTS Canute Field, IL (Hugh School Diploma) 

    prev. US Air Corps, 99th Observation Sqn 1927-33;

    "pilot, instructor, radio operator, airplane and engine mechanic, parachute rigger" (sounds like a useful chap)

    prev. exp. 2,050 hrs

    m. 1930 Evelyn Beatrice [Fortune]

    Address in 1941: 804 Mulberry St, Macon GA


    Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP

    Suspended 8 Jul 1941 for 14 days for low flying;

    Reprimanded 29 Jan 1942 for "incorrect statement at official report"

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 4 Jan 1942, he landed his Wellington on the wrong runway, swung off and collided with a parked Hampden;

    - 13 Jan 1942, he was unable to control the landing of another Wellington and the port wing hit the ground (not his fault, apparently), and

    - 21 Feb 1942, he overshot a landing in a Spitfire after the flaps failed to lower and hit a parked aircraft (his fault, apparently).

    "A very keen pilot"

    [Resigned]


    Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain George Arthur Robertson

     

    m. 1947 in New York, Viola M [Makara]

     

    Here are some of his Immigration cards for Brazil:

    - in 1949:

    ata george robertson brazil entry cert 1949

     

    - in 1951:

     ata george robertson brazil entry cert 1951

    and in 1957:

    ata George Robertson Brazil Entry Cert 1957

     

    d. 27 May 1995 in Florida

     See CNAC Captain George Arthur Robertson


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Rosenfield, Walter Allen

     

     M.233 First Officer  Walter Allen Rosenfield, Jr. 
    flag usa   b. 30 Oct 1915, Rock Island, IL 2 Jan 1941 to 28 Nov 1941 

     ata walter rosenfield 1942

     

    ata walter rosenfield USAAF 1942

     1942

       

     

    Ed. at Stanford, CA; Degree in Mechanical Engineering

    [His father, also Walter, was a businessman and movie-theatre owner, mayor of Rock Island from 1923 to 1927 who then served as Diirector of Public Works and Buildings in the Governor's office from 1940. He died in 1959.]

    Prev. an Airline Pilot for United. 2nd Lieut. in the US Army, then a Reserve Officer from 1937

    Prev. Exp. 1,950hrs on "Monocoupe, Moth, Travel-Air (also BT-9, BT-14, O-47, BT-2, BC-1, O-46 while in US Army)

    Address in 1941: 1603 Mill St., Rock Island, IL (father's address)

     ----------

    Postings: 3FPP, 4FPP

      "A competent pilot and excellent all-round officer [but] does not wish to renew his ATA contract"

     He wrote home in May 1941:

    "I finished all of the school at White Waltham, and was posted there for a while, but later, after trying to get posted up in Scotland (I made a few flights up there and liked it so much I thought it better than England). I was sent to a pool at an airdrome in Cheshire - I lived in Chester which is a very picturesque place - awfully cold - and about twenty miles form Liverpool - just far enough to escape most of the danger of the Merseyside raids but not far enough to escape the noise and bright lights. I was in Chester until April 21 when I was transferred up here to Scotland.

    The work I did while I was in Chester was very interesting and the best experience I could have gotten anywhere - I flew almost everything there was, from single-seater Spitfire and Hurricane to Blenheims, Hampdens and Wellingtons - also, some of the latest USA 'attack bombers' which I like best of all - they really are wonderful not only from the performance angle, but also in pilot comfort and cockpit layout - even the English pilots, who are naturally inclined to favor their own products, are impressed by them.

    The navigation over here is gradually becoming easier for me. I was very careful at first, but now it is much better since I've learned the country, and can get around pretty well without much map reference. The other day I hd a ship to deliver over to Ireland and on the way down I reached a speed of a little over [censored] - first time for me. There wasn't much of a sensation, but I did cover a lot of territory in a hurry - I thought of the times when I'd had Gabe's Moth up to 110 mph and thought that was pretty fast (and I guess it was, for the Moth).

    Just before I got transferred up here to Scotland I had a couple of days leave - just missed the Belfast blitz by a few hours and as I had to go to London on business, I decided I'd risk it and stay the night there (London). Well, as things happened, they had the heaviest raid of the war that night (Wed April 16). It was an experience I'll never forget, but don't want to go through again. I stayed at a west end hotel, which was in the midst of the whole thing, and was in a cab during part of it. In spite of everything I went to my room on the fifth floor and went to bed about 1:30 am - woke up with plaster and glass all over the bed and floor (I guess I'm a heavy sleeper after all).

    The next morning people were going to work as usual, the shops were open for business, even with the fronts blown down, and you had to walk by burning buildings and piles of wreckage out of which they were still rescuing people and removing bodies. It was horrible in some respects, but damn fine in another sense, and made me feel sort of proud I was helping out a bit.

    I like it up here in Prestwick (it's about twenty-five miles south of Glasgow, right on the coast). It's very quiet, no air raid alarms since I've been here. I'm living in a hotel right on the beach. On a clear morning you can look out of the window and see the island of Arran and sometimes clear across to Ireland. I had a day's leave and went to Glasgow, but there wasn't much to do, except see movies. I'm going over to Edinburgh next week. They say it's much nicer. There are six other Americans here, two from California, one from Arkansas, one from Denver, and one from Florida. We all live in the same place, and at times it is pretty much of a madhouse - we call it 'Little America'.

    Penn Wilson, the boy from Arkansas, was ferrying a Hurricane the day after the Clydeside raid (Glasgow) and had his engine catch on fire. Her didn't know what was the matter, and as he puts it , "I bailed out once down in Mississippi and didn't like it much", so he landed it burning in a pasture and walked away from it unscratched just before the petrol tanks blew up. Afterwards they inspected the remains and found it was full of bullet holes and German slugs - he'd been shot down and didn't know it. All he had to say was, "Guess I'm just a clay pigeon" - but I notice he's careful how high he flies, now.

    I'm not sure how long I'll be here. The work is slowing down a bit, and it is pretty dull when there are no jobs. I've been offered the chance of doing some of the trans-Atlantic ferrying and am thinking seriously of taking it, if things don't get busier. It's not as risky as this job, I don't think, at least during the summer months, and I could get home quite a lot.

    I'm feeling fine, and while the food situation is serious, I'm getting plenty, and eating (and liking) things I never would t home. Also, they have double daylight savings here, so that it is daylight until about midnight - very strange to go to bed with the sun shining brightly at 10 pm."

     ------------

    ata walter rosenfield and father 1941

    Back home with his father Walter Snr. 30 Dec 1941 (3 weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor) - Rock Island Argus

    Later a Lt-Col in tthe USAAF, a test pilot on U-2s (he "flew missions overseas, including Russia"). He also tested century-series fighters and bailed out of an F-100 into a swamp in 1958.

    ata walter rosenfield test pilot

    He retired from the USAAF in 1964 after 25 years and 14,000 hrs in 160 aircraft, and then joined Air America, flying supplies to special forces in Vietnam and Laos.

    He was the inspiration for the book "Air America" by Christopher Robbins (later a movie).

     d. 6 Mar 1999 - Green Valley, AZ.

    Buried Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Sandoz, Roberta Boyd (W.95)

     W.95  2nd Officer  Roberta Boyd 'Bobby' Sandoz 
     flag usa  b. 29 Apr 1918, Chewelah, WA  12 Aug-42 to 11 Feb-44 

     

    ATA Bobby Sandoz Leveaux 

    via Ania Stefanicka

     ata roberta leveaux 1943 1943    

     

     

    Father: Felix W Sandoz, mother Frances, both of Evans, Stephens, WA

    Ed. Colville High, B.A. in Sociology from Whitman College, Walla Walla WA

    prev. pilot, secretary, social worker

    prev. exp. 310.55 hrs

    "In the professional airshows in 1940 she did a solo strip tease performance. She would climb into the plane fully dressed, right down to the spike-heeled shoes and the gloves, take off, and start dropping articles of clothing over the side for the benefit of the audience. The climax was when she landed, descending from the plane still fully clothed."

    Address in 1942: 1518 S Hale Ave, Corcoran, CA


    Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP

    3 accidents, none her fault:

    - 14 Mar 1943, whilst taxying her Harvard, the port wing hit a dispersal worker;

    - 28 Oct 1943, forced landing, without damage, in a Fairchild Argus after complete engine failure, and

    - 9 Feb 1944, forced landing, again without damage, in a Spitfire after she found that she could not throttle back the engine below 3,000 rpm due to a technical defect.

    "An excellent ferry pilot. She allows nothing to interfere with the job. Discipline excellent.

    m. Aug 1943 in Kensington, London, First Lt. or Capt., King's Royal Rifle Corps, Peter David Leveaux (3 children; inc. Guy David, b. 1944). Peter's father died while serving with the Royal Navy. He and Roberta met in a pub called 'Shepherds' in Mayfair..

    Sailed to New York on 21 Aug 1943 with Opal Anderson, Evelyn Hudson, Margaret Lennox and Catharine van Doozer, and after her leave period this is presumably when she made a return transatlantic flight as supernumerary crew, probably in a Hudson.

    Sailed back to the US on 2 Dec 1945 on the 'Queen Elizabeth' with fellow ferry pilots Ann Watson Wood, James MacCallum, Margaret Lennox and Gilman 'Ben' Warne.


    Roberta and Peter moved to the US in 1949.

    Peter (who became a US citizen in 1955) became the eastern sales manager for the Jostens Manufacturing Co. of Owatonna, Minnesota.

    They lived in Westport, Connecticut in 1960 and Portland, OR in 1995

    Interviewed in 2000 for NASA's Johnson Space Center - see:

    https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/oral_histories/NASA_HQ/Aviatrix/LeveauxRBS/LeveauxRBS_3-25-00.htm

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Schuurman, Emma Mathilde (W.68)

     W.68  First Officer  Emma Mathilde 'Louise' or 'Tillie' or 'Dutch Lou' Schuurman
     flag holland -> flag usa  b. 28 Aug 1920, Nijmegen Holland  10 Feb-42 to 30-Jun-45 

     

    ata louise schuurman

    MUWW

     ata louise shuurman 1942 1942   ATAM  

     

     From 1934, resident in the USA. Her father, Jan Albert Schuurman, was Netherlands Consul General there, and later in Canada.

    ed. Finch Junior College, New York, and learnt to fly at Roosevelt Field, Long Island.

    prev: Flight Instructor

    prev. exp: 420 hrs in USA, Canada

     ata virginia farr louise schuurman 1942 

    "Among the American women recently arrived in England to ferry fighting planes for the RAF are Virginia Farr (left) of New Jersey, and Louise Schuurman of Long Island." - The Philadelphia Enquirer 21 Jun 1942

    Post-WWII, flew as airline pilot for Willis Air Service, based at Teterboro Airport, NJ.

    "She admits she is a tomboy. 'I hate skirts and high heels', she says, 'but I wish I knew how to cook.'"

    m. Sep 1946 John David 'Jack' Landers

    "Jack Landers, flying ace credited with 36 1/2 Nazi planes and awarded 33 personal decorations, was honeymooning at Fort Worth, Texas, with his bride Louise Schuurman, daughter of the consul general of the Netherlands.They met in England." - Minneapolis Star, 7 Sep 1946

    She applied for US citizenship in 1948.

    a.k.a. Louise Schuurman Welters (her mother's maiden name)

    d. 28 Apr 1962 in an air crash on Galveston Island, TX 

    buried Cauberg, Valkenburg aan de Geul, Limburg, the Netherlands

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Scribbins, John Robert

     

     M.417  First Officer  John Robert Scribbins
     flag usa  b. 14 Apr 1919, Decatur, Illinois 19 Mar 1941 to  17 Mar 1942

       ATA

         

     

    Father: John Adin Scribbins, an architect, Mother: Lula Irene [Nelson] of 510 McKinley Ave, Kewanee, IL

     Ed. Kewanee High School; Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at Purdue University, Sep 1937 - June 1939

     at West Lafayette, Purdue University 1938

     

    prev. Asst Records Engineer for Allison Engineering, Indianapolis, Indiana

    prev. exp. 325 hrs in Cub, Aeronca, Taylorcraft, Waco F2, F7, Cabin (private owner)

     Draft Card, dated 1940

    Address in 1941: 1217 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN


     Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP, 3FPP, 1FPP

     

    Off sick from 18 Jan to 26 Feb 1942 with "Twisted Ankle", which he did alighting from a taxi Anson

     

    Suspended 2 May 1941 for a week, without pay, due to "breach of flying regulations"

     

    2 accidents, both his fault:

    - 14 Jun 1941, he landed tail-first in a Hurricane and the tailwheel broke off

    - 29 Aug 1941, his Master I collided with an Oxford and crashed into a fence while trying to take off;

    Suspended 30 Aug 1941 for 4 days and fined $10 for "flying aircraft contrary to instructions, subsequent accident"

     

    Reprimanded 13 Mar 1942 for using a camera at White Waltham (to take pictures of the King and Queen when they visited the airfield on 13 Feb 1942). "The lightness of the award is due to the fact of F/O Scribbins' excellent record while in ATA, and the fact that he has only 9 days more to complete before the end of his contract"

     

    "A keen pilot and a good officer"

    The ATA offered to extend his contract, but he transferred to RAF Ferry Command


     d. 30 Dec 1942 in Boston IIIa BZ238, which went missing between Georgetown, British Guiana, and Belem, Brazil. The navigator and radio officer were also lost.

     

        

     

    Commemorated in Oak Lawn Memorial GardensGalesburgKnox CountyIllinoisUSA

     

    A Board of Officers was convened at White Waltham on the 13 Nov 1944, to decide what do do with "3 badly damaged books of Technical Notes belonging to the late F/O J R Scribbins". They sent them for incineration.

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Seeds, Kenneth Meryl

     M.247  First Officer Kenneth Meryl Seeds 

    flag usa

    b. 14 Oct 1910, Oklahoma City  19 Nov 1940 to Oct-41 

     

    ata kenneth seeds

    ATA

         

     

    prev a pilot instructor, CPTP Training Program, Idaho, and for Southern Air Service, Pocatella, Idaho

    prev exp. 1550 hrs. Started flying in 1936, and operated his own flying school, firstly in Los Angeles during 1937-8 and then Burley, Idaho in 1939.


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 8FPP

    In July 1941, he wanted to resign from the ATA, quoting "personal, domestic and family" reasons. However, as he had not served for 12 months, this was refused. He asked again in September, but was again turned down.

    Those reasons became clearer later in September 1941, the month before he died:

    "Young Taplow Woman's Death - Tragic End to courtship with American Ferry Pilot"

    A verdict of 'suicide' was recorded by the Manchester City Coroner on Monday, when he held an inquest on Miss Doris Hume, aged 26, Weymouth Lodge, Ellington Rd, Taplow, who died as the result of septic abortion.

    Evidence showed that the deceased, who was employed by a firm of insurance brokers in Maidenhead, associated with an American Ferry Pilot in Maidenhead and Manchester. She spent a week-end with him at a Manchester hotel and shortly before her death she went to see him at Manchester. He booked a room for her at the hotel where he was staying. She seemed so ill that he called a doctor. She later went into a nursing home, where she died some time after an operation had been performed.

    Kenneth Meryl Seeds, an officer in the Air Transport Auxiliary, said he was married and his wife and children were in California. He came to England in 1940 and first met Miss Hume in Maidenhead. They commenced to keep company, and Miss Hume knew he was a married man.

    The Coroner: "You are quite sure about that?" - Yes

    The Coroner said that was not a court of morals. With regard to Mr Seeds' conduct he would only say that his own thoughts would probably be sufficient castigation. Properly used the pills were harmless, but improperly used in large quantities they could, as had been seen in that case, be very harmful"


    janes wellington

    d. 8 Oct 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Wellington Z8424 hit the summit of Snaefell, Isle of Man, in generally good visibility, although parts of the Isle of Man were in fog.

    He had earlier flown a Havoc from Belfast, which developed engine trouble; he landed it at Hawarden and handed it over as unserviceable. Fellow ATA pilot O E Armstrong wrote "The weather from Hawarden via Rhyl was perfect...I flew at 2, 000 feet all the way leaving the Calf of Man about 5 miles to starboard... I am at a loss to account for the accident, as I am sure that F/O Seeds must have flown above the fog on his way over, otherwise he would not have decided to return... what I am afraid happened was that he endeavoured to fly below cloud and was off course. Approaching the Isle of Man he found that the fog was right down on the surface, so decided to climb above it."

    He was buried at Jurby, IoM with full military honours.

    These are photographs of Kenneth's funeral on the 13th October:

    kenneth seeds funeral

    kenneth seeds funeral 2

    The ATA agreed in 1942 an ex-gratia payment of $8,000 to his wife and step-daughter Betty Jo. His wife, who had been left penniless and had taken a job at the Vega Aircraft Co., wrote "I am extremely happy at the fine and generous way the British Government has seen fit to handle this matter."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Shreve, Conley Guy

     M.289 Flight Captain Conley Guy Shreve 
     flag usa b. 6 Mar 1907, Orlando, FL 

    14 Dec 1940 to  13 Dec 1941, 

    23 May 1942 to 30 Jun 1945


       1931

         

     

    Original surname: Shreane

    Father: Joseph W Shreane (also later changed to Shreve), Mother: Minnie Ora [White]

    Ed. "Virginia"

     prev. Seaman 1st Class in US Navy 1925-32 (Good Conduct Medal, Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, retired due to disability); Instructor, Engineer (Curtis Tire Co.)

    He was described as "the best natural born pilot I've ever taught" by his Navy instructor, and went solo after 1hr 55min (which may have been a world record...)

    "Obvious physical characteristics: Artificial left leg"

    He was "a passenger in a ship one day when the ship collided with another plane at about 3,500 ft. He lost his leg in the incident and replaced it with an artificial limb. The Navy pensioned him, and after some difficulty he got his license back" - Chattanooga Daily Times, May 1941

    prev. exp. 1500 hrs

     Address in 1940: 2800 North Orange Ave., Orlando, FL

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

     

    Arrived in the UK 7 Feb 1941 with fellow American ATA pilots Harry Smith, Joseph Holloway, Frank Skillen, August Michelson, William Edgar and George Holcomb


     Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP

     Class V (4-engine) pilot

     "Joe ("Skinny") White is not the only local boy flying for England: First Officer Conley Guy Shreve, 34, formerly of Chattanooga, is in the English service with the Air Transport Auxiliary, at Maidenhead, despite the cork leg he acquired while learning to fly."- Chattanooga Daily Times, May 1941

     

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 9 Dec 1941, his Hudson AM885 suffered an engine failure during takeoff and swung, colliding with a Beaufighter.

    He sailed back to the USA on 19 Dec 1941 with fellow ATA pilots William Hanks, Frank Skillen, Paul Lowman, Joseph Holloway, Ruby Garrett, S C Neville, George Heintz, and Franklyn Rule Mershon, but returned the following May.

    "An exceedingly good officer who works very hard"... "He has a happy knack of getting things done quickly and efficiently"


     Sailed to Philadelphia from Liverpool, arriving 16 Jul 1945, with fellow ATA pilot Sheila Garrett (at the time, Mrs Wilcoxon)

     m. 4 Sep 1948 in Florida, Ruth Stone [Chapman]

    Partner in Aerial Insecticides, Inc (Orlando) from 1951

    m. 1954 Bertha M [McKeown] (a hairdresser, divorced 1960)

     

     d. 19 Mar 1975


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Skillen, Frank Pope

     M.273 First Officer  Frank Pope Skillen 
     flag usa b. 5 Oct 1908, Jacksonville, FL   3 Dec 1940 to 2 Dec 1941

     

         

     

    b. Frank Pope Hawkins, adopted by George A Skillen in 1922

    (Step)Father: George Armstrong Skillen, a painting contractor; Mother: Julia S [Pope]

    Ed. Riverside Military Academy, Gainsville, GA

    prev. Private First Class, US Marine Corps VS3MR Scouting Squadron 1932-36; Instructor, Pilot (Charter work - Magis City Flying Service), Aviation Mechanic

    prev. exp. 824 hrs

    m. 24 Jan 1931 in Florida, Dorothy [Maxwell] (divorced 1935)

    m. 1 Feb 1936 in Florida, Helen Marie [Sybilrud] (one son, Frank Jr b. 1944)

    Address in 1940: 1115 Florida Ave, W Palm Beach, FL

    Frank's Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940


     Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP

     4 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 5 Mar 1941, an undercarriage problem with his Fairey Battle P6758

    - 22 May 1941, commended for a forced landing after engine failure in Audax K7342

    - 9 Jul 1941, taxying 'without due care' in Spitfire R7216 at Peterhead in a high tailwind, stick back and nobody on the tail

    - 12 Aug 1941, an incident in a Tomahawk AK154 (insufficient evidence to allocate blame)

     

    "A very keen and sound pilot. Has done well in this Pool"


    After ATA, sailed back to the USA on 19 Dec 1941 with fellow ATA pilots W Hanks, Ruby Garrett, P Lowman, J R Holloway, G C Shreve, S C Neville, G R Heintz, and Franklyn Rule Mershon. 

     Helen went to Detroit in April 1942 to join Frank, who was stationed there with the "USAC Ferry Command"

    Frank and Tech. Sgt. Jesse Bowling had a narrow escape in October 1942 when their twin-engine bomber, having taken off from Greenland, developed a port engine fire and they had to ditch in the icy sea. They swam 100 ft to an ice floe and Bowling, who got there first, pulled Frank on. He later said, "I never could have got out myself."

    They paddled for two hours (using a seat from the plane) and then spent 9 hours waiting for rescue, finally being spotted after they spelt out 'HELP' with letters torn from a parachute. They then spent 5 days in hospital. - Kansas City Times, 28 Sep 1943

     "He flew 187 missions in the China-Burma-India, Asiatic, and European Theaters of Operation" - Palm Beach Post, 1951

    Assigned to Military Air Transport Group, of Air Transport Command's Ferrying Division at Fort Dix Army Base in 1945. "He spent 20 months overseas, and from his combat record has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal." - Miami Herald, 26 Aug 1945

    The Air Medal was for "150 hrs of operational flight in transport aircraft over the dangerous and difficult India-China air routes". - Palm Beach Post, Mar 1945

    Later, an instructor at Bartow Air Base

     Moved to Winter Haven from Palm Beach in 1952

    Helen d. 1993

    d. 17 Nov 1994 - Winter Haven, Polk Co., FL

      Lakeside Memorial ParkWinter HavenPolk CountyFlorida


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Sleeper, John Edward

     M.---- 2nd Officer  John Edward Sleeper 

    flag usa

     b. 10 Apr 1903, Pennsylvania 1 May 1941 to 17 Sep 1941 

     

         

     m. Mary E, 1 son

    Address in 1940: Clinton, Mt Vernon, OH


    Sailed back to Montreal on 5 October 1941 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Constant Wilson, William Englander, James Holley, Walter Lewis, Vernon Meyer, Marvin Tuxhorn, Herbert Termaine, Willie Crews and Leland Lloyd

     He and three other American pilots (William Harry Englander, Vernon Arno Meyer, and Marvin Blaine Tuxhorn, qqv) threatened legal action to secure their full ATA salary of $150 per week for the period after they were told they had not been accepted as ferry pilots; they had, it seems, only been paid $24 plus a $50 subsistence allowance per week.


    Joined USAAF ATC based at Romulus, Michigan. In Apr 1943 he made a forced landing in a Mustang en route from Scott Field to Chicago, suffering cuts about the face and body.

    d. 29 Nov 1984 - Goodhue, Minnesota


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Slingsby, Harold Gordon

     M.302  First Officer  Harold Gordon 'Buzz' Slingsby
    flag usa  b. 17 Aug 1908, St Paul, MN  12 Sep 1940 to 3 Apr 1941


     ata harold slingsby 1942LA Times, 1942

       ATAM

    March 1941

       

     

    Ed. High School, Los Altos; Electrical Engineering Diploma

    Address in 1940: (father, Thomas Harry Slingsby) 134W Los Altos, CA

    prev. pilot


     Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 20 Oct 1940, he failed to open the hood of his Hurricane and it slid back on approach. Due to dust in his eyes, he misjudged the landing and dropped a wing

    - 21 Dec 1940, the airscrew of his Spitfire was damaged on landing, after he bounced on some unflagged obstructions

    - 8 Jan 1941, he landed his Botha with the undercarriage retracted

    Seconded to AtFero


    "Harold Gordon 'Buzz' Slingsby was a pilot, ground photographer and aerial photographer by trade, and reporter, detective and soldier of fortune by heart". (Santa Cruz Evening News, 1940)

    He received a second award in two months for 'meritorious service' from Gen. MacArthur in Sep 1942.

    "He may be a hero, but he never says a word about it in his letters" said his wife Laura.

    Laura was "in the publicity and photography business with her husband in San Francisco for several years"

    d. 26 Jun 1985 - Camp Verde, AZ


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Smith, Charles John

     

     M.167 Captain  Charles John Smith 

    flag usa

     b. 18 May 1905, Lockport NY 8 Oct 1940 to 30 Sep 1945 

     ata charles smith ata ATA   FP   ATAM  

     

    Father: Stewart Maxwell Smith, a 'sinotype operator - newspaper"; mother Alice Maud [Petrie]

    Ed. Eastwood High School

    m. Eula Eleanor

    prev. 10 yrs as a Commercial Pilot

    Address in 1940: 364 Hillsdale Ave, Syracuse, NY


    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 1FPP, AFTS (as instructor), 16FPP (as 2nd-in-Command), 4FPP (as 2nd-in-Command)

    "A most willing and hard working officer so long as he has plenty of work to get on with. He has shown great keenness in running the Class 5 training at Marston Moor, and much of its success is due to his ability to get on well with the RAF personnel on whose station the training takes place."

    "Has rendered valuable service to the School and fully justified his status as senior American pilot."

    Involved in 3 accidents (none his fault):

    - 2 Oct 1941, after a technical fault in a Hampden;

    - 27 Oct 1941, Anson N9972, and

    - 8 Sep 1942, when acting as an instructor in Hudson IV AE537, the pupil allowed the aircraft to swing violently. No blame was apportioned.


    d. 10 Mar 1950, Syracuse NY:

    "Charles J. Smith, 44, of 364 Hillsdale Ave., one of the early fliers at Syracuse Municipal airport, died Friday in Syracuse Memorial hospital after an illness of two years. He was a member of Aerial Lodge 5596, F&AM, London, England, and a Quiet Birdmen member of Syracuse."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Smith, Harry

     M.294 Flight Captain Harry Smith 
     flag england  flag usa b. 5 Aug 1902, Stockport 

    10 Jan 1941 to 9 Jan 1942,

    15 Sep 1942 to 15 Nov 1942,

    10 Sep 1943 to 29 Apr 1945 


       ATA

         

     

    Father: Eli Smith, Mother: Emily Bertha [True]

    Ed. Kale Green Council School, Stockport

    Moved to USA in 1925; Naturalized American 23 May 1933

    m.  24 Jul 1926 in Glynn, GA, Georgia [True] (5 children)

     prev. pilot

    prev. exp. 2075 hrs

    "Mutilated thumb of right hand"

    Address in 1941: Butler Ave, St Simon's Island, Glynn, Georgia

     


     Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 2FPP, Instructor (Montreal)

     

    Off sick from 4 to 25 Mar 1941 with nasopharyngitis

    2 accidents, both his fault:

    - 12 Jun 1941, Hurricane Z3388, details missing but no fault found

    - 18 Jun 1941, in Hurricane DG613, an "error of judgement"

     

       Registration Card, dated 24 Aug 1942

    "As one of the 'old-timers' this pilot has had a steadying influence on the junior instructors and has at all times proved both hard working and conscientious. An able and efficient instructor possessing a most likeable personality"


     

     d. 13 Aug 1954 - Lake Harbor, Palm Beach, FL


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Smyser, Albert Ernest

     M.362  First Officer Albert Ernest Smyser Jr
     flag usa b. 30 Mar 1914, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  22 Feb 1941 to 21 Aug 1942 

       1959

         

     

    Father: Albert Ernest Smyser Snr, a Mechanical Engineer for the Aluminum Co. of America; Mother: Leila Hall [Palmer]

    Ed. Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA (B.S.)

     prev. Flight Instructor, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

    prev., exp. 1,330 hrs

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1941: 129 Maple St, New Wilmington, PA


     Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP, AFTS (as instructor)

     Off sick from 9 to 30 Jan 1942 with "gastralgia" (i.e. stomach pain)

     

    1 accident, his fault (definitely) :

    - 12 Sep 1941, he forgot to lower the undercarriage of his Harvard N7138

     

    "A good, keen, and hardworking pilot with a good sense of discipline"


     m. 26 Dec 1942 in New York, Ruth Warner [Lof]

     

    Lt-Cmdr (Aircraft Commander), USN at National Air Station Norfolk, VA from 22 Oct 1942 to 17 Nov 1943, then NAS Patuxent River, Maryland until 29 May 1945, then back to NAS Norfolk until 10 Nov 1945.

    Post-WWII, worked for North American Aviation and Glenn L Martin.

    Address in 1950: 179 California Ave, Oak Ridge, Anderson, TN

    Moved to New York and was appointed Director of Public Relations and Advertising, Loral Electronics Group in Dec 1959: "Mr Smyser has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and advertising in the electronics and aviation fields. Before joining Loral, he was affiliated with Williams and London Advertising, an industrial advertising agency." - The Standard-Star

     

    d. 14 Apr 2008 - Florida

    Buried Florida National Cemetery

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Somogy, William Joseph

     M.323  First Officer William Joseph Somogy 
     flag usa   b. 12 Jan 1909, Warren, Ohio  16 Jan 1941 to 15 Apr 1945

     1942 ata william somogy bw5900 1942

         

     

    Ed. High School, Ohio

    prev. 2nd Lieut in US Army, 1937-41 2nd Lieut in Air Corps Reserve

    A motor mechanic, and mail and passenger pilot.

    He was the pilot (and sole survivor of the crash) of this New Standard D-25 s/n NC9795 belonging to Erie Isles Airways which crashed into Lake Erie on 29 December 1937. Flying from Port Clinton, he ran into heavy fog trying to land at Put-In-Bay (which is only a 5-minute flight away):

    erie isles airways crash 1937   NC9795 crash

    He said he "spotted a blue patch in the haze and started downward, believing it to be solid ice." Instead, it was water into which the plane plunged, tossing out the passengers.

    The three passengers drowned, despite his attempts to hold onto the woman passenger, Nancy Howard; "he held onto her with one hand, but the cold water finally compelled him to loosen his grip and she sank." William hung onto the tail until he was rescued. He was later exonerated.

    m., 1 child

    Address in 1941: 3456 W 99 St, Cleveland, Ohio

    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP

    "A good officer and sound pilot"; "Somewhat slow at first but completed by flying the Liberator quite satisfactorily."

    Later joined NASA as a Technician

    d. 26 Jan 1990


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Stearns, Edith Foltz (W.85)

     W.85  First Officer  Edith Foltz Stearns
     flag usa  b. 17 Aug 1902, Dallas TX 10 Jun-42 to 30 Jun-45 

     ata edith foltz stearns grissom

         

     

    Father: Richard E Magalis, a Parmacist; mother Kate 'Daisy' [Bethurum]

    prev: barnstorming, air racer, Flight Instructor; 2nd in the first 'Powder Puff Derby' in 1927

    m. c1920 Joseph Rathelle Foltz Jr., (from Milwaukie, Oregon, b. 1895) [ [divorced, 2 sons; 1 dec'd, Richard b.1926]

    ata edith foltz stearns 1931 with Richard in 1931

     Governor of the Northwest Section of the 99s Organisation of Women Fliers

    m. 1935 Harry Edwin Stearns (an automotive engineer, b 1897 in Massachusetts, d. 1 Jan 1943) They ran an air mail service, 'Oregon Airways' together.

    Address in 1942: 2627 NE 11th St, Portland, Oregon


    Travelled from Nova Scotia to Belfast to join the ATA, arriving  28 Jun 1942 with fellow pilots Evelyn Hudson and Catharine van Doozer.

    Suspended for 7 days without pay for "wilful misuse of M.T. transport"

    1 accident (her fault):

    - 17 Nov 1942, she was concentrating on doing her pre-takeoff cockpit drill and her Defiant drifted forwards and hit a Magister


     m. 1947 Grissom, a rancher from Beeville, TX

    d. 28 Jun 1956 -  Corpus Christi, Texas

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Stevenson, Grace (W.74)

     W.74  First Officer Grace Stevenson 
     flag usa  b.  5 Aug 1917, Stratford OK  14 Apr-42 to 13 Apr-45

     

    ata grace stevenson 

    ATA

         

     

     Ed. University of Oklahoma (B.A. in journalism)

    Learnt to fly at the Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, OK.

    prev. Flight Instructor in Casper, Wyoming (1940) and then back at Spartan.

    prev. exp. 1,000 hrs

    Address in 1943: Holdenville, OK

    Postings: 15FPP

    Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Mary (Zerbel) Hooper, John Yingst, Lionel Kay and Dorothy (Furey) Bragg. She then returned as supernumerary co-pilot in Mitchell FV958, 11-15 Sep 1943.

    Four accidents, only one her fault:

    Commended for her forced landing in a Walrus on 21 Jul 1943 when the engine lost power "with violent vibrations" at 600ft, bits flew off the engine and damaged the propeller blades, hull, mainplane, interplane strut and aileron;

    - 1 Dec 1943, her Sea Otter lost oil pressure and she force landed safely;

    - 24 Mar 1944, she failed to control the takeoff swing of a Mosquito, ground-looped and the undercarriage collapsed, and

    - 21 May 1944, forced landing in a Typhoon after a fault in the constant speed unit caused the engine to over-rev.

     "A keen and above average pilot who goes about her work in a quietly efficient manner."

    "Very reserved in character, but quietly confident. An excellent pilot."

    After hanging around so much waiting for the weather to clear before flying, Grace became "an inveterate coffee drinker"; so much so that her first food parcel from home (limited to 2 lbs) was a pound of coffee and a pound of sugar.

    On the 4th of July 1942, a boy who worked in the parachute room gave her two strawberries. "So rare are strawberries in England", she said, "I couldn't bear to eat them both myself, so I split them with another girl and we made them last as long as we could."

     ata grace stevenson 1957 

    In 1957, with a copy of 'Golden Wings', Alison King's book about the ATA

    Post-WWII, she was employed as a secretary for U.S. Plywood Corp, in Oklahoma City, having decided to give up flying for the quieter life. She said, "I'm trying to kill the flying bug with a fishing rod and a golf club."

    d. 29 Dec 2002, at the Northwest Nursing Home in Fayetteville. Arkansas

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Stewart, Malcolm Ferguson

     M.161 First Officer  Malcolm Ferguson Stewart 

     flag usa

    flag scotland

     

    b.  19 Jan 1909, Boston, Mass. 21 Oct 1940 to 8 May 1941 

      in 1927, age 18

      1938 (Boston Globe)    

     

    Father: Alexander Stewart, (b. Scotland). Mother: Christine [Ferguson] (b. Nova Scotia)

    Nationality: "Scottish, Canadian and Honduran"

    6ft ; blue eyes, brown hair

    Ed. Hyde Park High, Harvard (Naval Science; B.A. in International Law, 1930)

    prev. US Army Air Corps 1932-37 (Lieut); Honduran Air Force Jan 1938-Oct 1940 (Captain); Commercial Pilot

    In Honduras, he was head of the school of military aviation for the Republic of Honduras, "one of the most responsible jobs ever given to an American in Central America"

     

    m. 15 Dec 1934 in Portsmouth, NH, Jean [MacLeod]

    Address in 1940: 40 Alaric St, W Roxbury, Mass.

    Arrived in the UK 11  Nov 1940 on the SS Duchess of Atholl, with his fellow ferry pilots Howard Charles Alsop (M.165), - Donald Lee Annibal (M.163), Robert Olyn Gragg (M.173), Dan B Jacques, Charles John Smith, Francis Bender and Roy Edwin Wimmer.


     Postings: 2FPP

     Off sick in Mar 1941 with influenza

    2 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 15 Dec 1940, unable to start the engine of his Fairey Battle after landing in wet weather

    - 12 Jan 1941, forced landing in a Hurricane; he persisted too far in bad weather

     


    Shortly after his return to the US (4 Jun 1941), he registered for the US Draft:

     By Jul 1942, he was in the USAAF attached to TACA "on a special mission with the US Army Engineers", based in Trinidad. His job there toook him to "British Guiana, Surinam, Curacao, Aruba, Venezuela, Antigua, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados, and other Caribbean areas"

    m. Olga (one son, Robert N)

    Chief of the Honduran Air Force

    d. 13 Jul 1949 (age 41) - Tegucigalpa, Honduras


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Timmermans, Hubert Theodore

     M.88  First Officer Hubert Theodore Timmermans 

    flag usa

     b. 5 October 1916, New York, NY   24 Aug 1940 to 23 Aug 1941

    then

    8 Sep 1942 to 7 Apr 1945


           

     

    Ed. at MIT, Bachelor of Science

    prev. Eastern Airlines, Aircraft Sales

    prev. exp. 650 hrs

    Address in 1940: 5024 214 St, Bayside, Long Island, NY

    m. Norma


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP, 3FPP, Marston Moor

    October 1940: "Good pilot, but cannot yet find his way about on English maps"

    Off sick from Nov 1940 to 5 Jan 41 after getting lost and damaging his Blenheim by landing it at  a dummy airfield.

    October 1943: "A good average pilot, keen and reliable and well-disciplined."

    April 1945: This Officer hs worked well for the organisation."


    Post-WWII, Head of Employment for Hughes Aircraft Co, Tucson, AZ and then, from 1961-64, an administrative officer for the Arizona Highway Department.

    d. 2010 - New York


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Tobin, Gilbert Sheppard

     M.303  First Officer Gilbert Sheppard Tobin 

    flag usa

      b. 27 Feb 1914, Newark, N.J. 30 Aug 1940 to 29 Aug 1941 

     

    ata gilbert tobin 2

    https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/aviation-history/

      ATAM    

     

    Father: Clarence E Tobin (d. 1958), mother Alberta [Klump]

    Ed. High School; Navigation Course

    m. Meriel [Miller], 4 children

    prev. Commercial Flying and 'Petroleum Business' - he ran a service station.

    In 1937, he was warned by a mysterious telephone caller that he would "get the works", after he cut his price to 12.5 cents a gallon when the prevailing price locally was 15.9 cents. The hoses were slashed on four of his gas pumps, but he renewed them. He protested he was willing to work with other dealers and "couldn't understand the cause of the attacks."

    prev. exp. 597 hrs

    Address in 1940: 64 Pease Ave, Verona, NJ


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    Grounded for 1 week in Aug 1941 for "Disobedience of orders"

    4 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 23 Oct 1940, he "broke" a Hurricane after getting lost and choosing an unsuitable field to land;

    - 13 Mar 1941, overshot in a Spitfire, partly due to oil on the windscreen but "this does not clear pilot from responsibility"

    - 25 May 1941, commended for a successful forced landing after engine failure in a Whitley;

    - 13 Jul 1941, force-landed a Fairchild after engine failure.

    "Keen pilot. Had usual navigation difficulties experienced by American pilots at first."

    "Proved himself a very capable pilot and navigator. When he wanted to he could work extremely well but he has a bombastic manner which often leads to difficulty and unpleasantness."


    Served with RAF Ferry Command from September 1941. "I liked England all right, but I got sick of eating cabbage", he said. "Its' all right for the English, who seem to be used to eating very little, but for Americans it's tough."

    ata gilbert tobin

    More at https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/aviation-history

    Later moved to Montreal and ran an Air Transport Service.

    d. 17 Aug 1977 - Montreal


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Towers, Ernest Alfred


     M.---  2nd Officer Ernest Alfred Towers 

    flag usa

     b. 29 Aug 1913, Spokane, Washington  3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

            

     

     A stunt flyer in the movie "Hell's Angels"

    Address in 1940: 409 W Pear St, Compton CA

    m. 1943 Dorothy Mae [Roderick]

    Later Major, USAF

    d. 9 Jul 2004 - Palmdale CA

    ata ernest towers grave 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Trimble, Walter Lee

     M.112  First Officer Walter Lee 'Buster' Trimble 

    flag usa

     b. 9 Jun 1908, Ft Worth, TX   25 Aug 1940 to 14 Aug 1941

      ata buster trimble

     

     ata buster trimble 2 ATA

     

       ATAM

    March 1941

     

     

    A commercial pilot since early 1929

    prev. exp. 3,000 hrs

    Address in 1940: 506 W Central Ave, Fort Worth TX

    He requested that $25 a week of his $100 salary should be paid to the Red Cross Society.

    "A pilot whose ability on twin-engined aircraft is well above the average." "His general flying instilled confidence."

    The ATA offered him a contract extension following on from his 1-year term, which would have been from the 24th August 1941.


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 14 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - one of four ATA pilots, travelling as passengers, amongst the 22 killed in the crash of Liberator AM260.

    Others were Philip Lee (M.228), Elbert Anding (M.316) and Martin Wetzel.

    The cause of the crash was that "the pilot in command [Cpt Richard Charles Stafford of BOAC] started the take off procedure from runway 06 which was not suitable for the takeoff as it was too short for such aircraft."

    The ATA offered his mother an ex-gratia payment; she declined it at the time, but much later (in 1959), her circumstances having obviously changed, she did apply for a grant (and, I assume, receive it - his personnel file does not describe the outcome). 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Trumbull, Clark Loring

     M.154  First Officer  Clark Loring Trumbull Jr
    flag usa  b. 27 Aug 1915, Fort Monroe, VA

     25 Sep 1940 to 24 Sep 1941

    and 13 Dec 1941 to 8 Jul 1942



     ata clark trumbull 1934 1934    ATAM    

     

    Ed. High School, 1 yr Aero Engineering

    Father: Clark Loring Trumbull, US Army in WWI, d. 26 Jun 1949, buried Arlington National Cemetery

    prev. Commercial pilot

    prev. exp. 774 hrs

    Address in 1940: RFD No. 1, Silver Spring, Maryland


    Postings: 6FPP, AFTS

    Suspended for 2 days in Feb 1942 for "refusal to carry on with flight and parked aircraft"

    4 accidents, 3 his fault:

    - 24 Nov 1940, he failed to correct the take-off swing in a Mohawk and hit a tree "before completing a circuit and landing"

    - 30 Mar 1941, he selected 'undercarriage up' instead of 'flaps up' after landing in a Blenheim

    - 11 Sep 1941, he failed to control the landing swing of a Hudson, and broke the port undercarriage leg

    - 3 Jan 1942, the hood of his Spitfire blew off due to 'insecure fitting' and slightly damaged the tail.

    "A good pilot who can do excellent work when he feels like it. Normally a quiet and steady officer."

    m. Jan 1942 in Leicester, Joan E [Beard]


    Resident in Florida in 1994

    d. 18 Sep 2001 - Washington DC

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Trunnell, Howard

     M.532   Howard Trunnell 
     flag usa    21 Apr 1941 to 6 Apr 1943

     

         

     


     Postings: 8FPP, 1FPP

     

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Tucker, William Ambler

     M.618  First Officer William Ambler Tucker 
    flag usa  b. 27 Apr 1919, Decatur, IL  19 Jun 1941 to 20 May 1942 

     

         

     

    father William James, a Railway Express Agency Agent; mother: Blanche [Ambler]

    Ed. at Arts and Science College, Toledo and University, Ohio (Bachelor of Philosophy)

    prev. a student

    m. 18 Jun 1941 Jeanne Yvonne [Rutan] (who also attended the University of Toledo)

    prev. exp. 560 hrs over 5 years in Toledo

    Address in 1941: 207 McKinley Blvd, Terre Haute, Indiana


    Postings: 3FPP

    Ferry hours: 313 hrs on 28 different types

    "A very keen pilot and an extremely good officer to whom nothing is a trouble" (except perhaps once in Feb-42 when he forgot to lower the undercarriage of an Airspeed Oxford before landing.) 

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Uhlich, Elmer Edward

     M.632 First Officer  Elmer Edward 'Dutch' Uhlich 
     flag usa  

    b. 21 Jun 1914, Riverside MI

     

    21 Jul 1941 to Nov-41 

     

    ata elmer uhlich

    ATA

         

     

     B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

     d. 23 Nov 41 (Died in ATA Service) - Liberator AL562 caught fire and crashed into the sea south of Burrow Head, Wigtownshire, en route Prestwick to Hawarden.

    'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) wrote later that "the ship was one of the first Liberators in England, but... through some grim blunder on someone's part the anti-aircraft crew had not been advised of its being a new addition to the British Air Force. Elmer Ulich (sic) was shot down and killed by British anti-aircraft fire."

    The official accident report says "Insufficient evidence to establish cause but thought to be through bad weather causing aircraft to catch fire in the air."

    The letter to his father says "At the time of writing I can add no further information as the investigation is proceeding and may possibly not yield anything conclusive. You will understand, of course, that in aircraft accidents it is sometimes impossible to ascertain the cause and in such cases it is better not to speculate on them."

    ... Sounds to me like 'Gen' might be right...

    Pilot F/O Francis Bush also killed.

    Buried Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial:

    ata elmer uhlich grave

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Van Doozer, Catharine Rel (W.86)

     W.86 2nd Officer   Catharine 'Kay' Rel Van Doozer
     flag usa   b. 29 Apr 1905, Los Angeles CA  9 Jun-42 to Mar-44

     W086 van Doozer Catharine ATA

     

    ata kay van doozer 1943

    The Bakersfield Californian 1943

       

     

     prev. a teacher at Bakersfield High School, and secretary of the South-west section of the 99 Club of women pilots launched in 1929 by Amelia Earhart.

     "She was a member of Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, and at one time taught violin, and has also been a teacher of horseback riding, archery and rifle shooting."

     Flying Instructor at Bakersfield Airport.

    Travelled from Nova Scotia to Belfast to join the ATA, arriving  28 Jun 1942 with fellow pilots Edith Stearns and Evelyn Hudson.

    in 1943, she "saw Dick Newmeyer, also formerly a member of Bakersfield High School staff, in England."

    She later said "In England we did as the English did at that time. Ninety-five per cent of the time we were grounded waiting for better weather and the other five per cent of the time were in the air with less than one mile visibility and scared to death."

    "It doesn't take any brains to fly an airplane."

    Later she taught instruments at the WASP training station in Sweetwater, TX.

    .Post-WWII she returned to Bakersfield High School and taught English until the death of her mother in 1948.

     ata Catharine van Doozer WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

    d. 12 Nov 1949  - Kernville, Kern County, CA, in an accident when her mountain home was destroyed by fire. "Firemen found her body in the living room of the gutted home from which a friend, Betty Thompson [also an ex-WASP], 38, escaped unharmed."

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Vance, Reginald Franklin Conroy

     M.--- * First Officer  Reginald Franklin Conroy Vance 
      flag usa

    b. 13 May 1903, London

    to American parents

    24 Jan  to Mar 1941 

       1943

         

     

    Father: Reginald Henley Conroy Vance (d, 1922), mother: Clarissa Meachum [Brown, d.1922], of Fredericksburg, VA.

    Grew up in USA from age 3

    Ed. St Paul's School, Concord NH; Harvard 

     US Air Corps 2nd Lieut 1929; Assistant Military Attache in London from October 1940

    m. 27 Nov 1929 in Chatanooga, TN, Susan Wharton [Hansell]


     Postings:

     


     Returned to USA in March 1941

    Lt-Col, USAAF from 1942

       1952

     

     d. 27 Oct 1981 - Gloucester Co, Virginia, USA

      Abingdon Episcopal Church Cemetery, White Marsh, Gloucester County, Virginia

     

    "Retired Air Force Col. Reginald Franklin Conroy Vance, 78, a former chairman of the Gloucester County Republican Party, died Tuesday in Walter Reed Memorial Hospital.
    Born in England, he graduated from St. Paul's School in Concord, Mass., and was a member of the graduating class of 1926 at Harvard University.
    He was a bomber pilot in World War II and earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
    He was on the military staff of the United Nations in 1950 and served in Europe and the Far East before, during and after World War II.
    He was a member of Abingdon Episcopal Church, which he had served as junior and senior warden. He was a member of the Gloucester Rotary Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, an aviation society known as the International Order of Characters and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
    He had served as president of the Tidewater Daffodil Society.
    Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Susan Hansell Vance; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Whitson of McLean and Lady Susan Oldman of Kenya, Africa; a sister Mrs. J. R. Keast of St. Peter's Port, Guernsey, England; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41174215/reginald-franklin_conroy-vance


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Vencill, Edward

     M.116 *  First Officer Edward "Booger Red" Vencill 

    flag usa

     b. 15 Jan 1912, Dallas, TX  26 Sep 1940 to 30 Nov 1940

     ata edward vencill 'Booger Red' in his Stearman      

     

    One of 10 children (he had 5 brothers and 4 sisters]

    His uncle died and left him $75,000 in February 1940. "I haven't seen him in years. I don't even know what his first name is. I only know him as Uncle Joe."

    Anyway, he said he was "going to use both hands and try to spend it in two months."

    Address in 1941: 3518 Punam St., Dallas TX


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Roger Inman, Howard Mussey, William Cummings, Martin Wetzel and Constant Wilson.

    Returned to USA via Bermuda and Venezuela 30 Jan 1941. He said he had met German fighters in the air only on two occasions and "both times the German planes were only about 300 yards away.. They made no attempt to attack, but they certainly scared me", he confessed.

    m. 2 Aug 1941 Virginia Lee [Galloway] in Jefferson, Arkansas [3 sons, 3 daughters]

    d. 19 October 1961 at Macron Lake, Mississippi, in an aircraft accident while crop-dusting.

    Booger Red book cover

    The subject of a 1962 book called "Booger Red: The Saga of Edward Vencill, Master of Grim Humor, Daredevil Flyer,...One of a Vanishing Breed" by Gene Foster


    The Story of "Booger Red"

    Edward Vencill is dead, but Booger Red lives on, a legend in the annals of American aviation and a fond memory for those who knew him best.

    Those of you who never inhabited the dusting strips of our country never heard of Booger Red. But those who have followed the trade of the professional pilot know him as a legend in his own lifetime.

    Edward Vencill and Booger Red are the same courageous, careful person. But at an early age, freckle-faced, devil-may-care "Booger Red" took over; and most folks who knew him forgot he had the name Edward Vencill.

    During his wildest exploits - barnstorming, crop dusting, and just out-of-this world plane jockeying - reporters who covered his stunts and crashes seldom spelled his name correctly, but regardless of how his name was spelled, readers knew "Booger Red" was at it again."

    His biographer, Eugene Foster, recalled meeting him in 1955. He noticed a "crippled fellow in khaki pants and shirt working over a 450-horsepower Stearman. The man's right leg looked about four inches shorter than his left, and his right arm was bent and twisted. 

    The next thing I knew, the crippled guy was in the cockpit, the engine was roaring and then the plane was airborne. Then, the strangest thing happened. The plane was hardly off the ground when the crippled guy who didn't look like he could walk, much less fly, had it in a slow roll."

     Read more at https://www.amazon.com/Booger-Red-Vencill

     

  • Vinson, Robert Harris

     M.218 First Officer  Robert Harris Vinson 
     flag usa b. 7 Oct 1916, Chicago, IL  3 Dec 1940 to 19 Oct 1941 

       ATA

         

     

    Father: George Elbert Vinson, a 'Contractor', Mother: Minnie [Lee Boyd]

    Ed. High School, Madisonville, KY

    m. Ruby Mae [Nagel]

    prev. Lieut. in US Army Air Corps 1935-39; Flying Instructor

    prev. exp. 1200 hrs

    Address in 1940: 717 South Seminary St, Madisonville, KY

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    "Mr Vinson is the steady type, capable of maintaining a given course on instruments, and recovering in unusual positions" - Flight Test in Toronto, Jan 1940

    Travelled from St. Johns to Liverpool on the SS 'Nova Scotia' with fellow pilots Omar William Crim, Kenneth Douglas, Kenneth Seeds, Edmund Jarrett and Edwin Whittington.


     Postings: 1FPP

     Suspended from flying duteis without pay from 24 to 31 Mar 1941 for "shooting up Maidenhead"

    2 accidents, both his fault :

    - 5 Jan 1941, a forced landing in a Mohawk after he "entered the area of violent thunderstorms"

    - 2 Sep 1941, a wheels-up landing in Spitfire - he "failed to go through landing drill" (i.e. he forgot to lower the undercarriage)

     

    "A most excellent pilot in every way. Very keen and hard working & a fine influence on the Pool"


    Sailed to Montreal in October 1941 with fellow US airmen Donald Annibal, Robert Olyn Gragg., George Wood, Roy Wimmer, Claude Cole (all ATA) and Louis Brosmer

    He offered to help to assess prospective ATA pilots in Montreal (especially as he hoped he could take his wife there, which he had been told was "next to impossible" in England), but the ATA had already made other arrangements.

     US Army 9 Jun 1942 to 29 Jan 1946

       Carlsbad Current-Argus, 25 Nov 1957

     

    d. 4 Sep 1983 - Marshall, KY

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Voelpel, Lyman Verne

     M.94 First Officer  Lyman Verne Voelpel 

    flag usa

      b. 5 Nov 1904, Clinton, IA 19 Aug 1940 to 3 Apr 1941 

      

    ata lyman voelpel 1930

     "The famous flier of gliders, who looped thirteen times in a glider, breaking his own world's record"  (Indianapolis Star, 1930)

         

     

    Ed. Clinton High School, Business College in Clinton and Los Angeles.

    prev. m. 1924 Florence A. [Paton] (divorced 1933)

    Fined $1,000 and jailed for 3 months in 1925, along with his father E.W. Voelpel, a "wealthy Clinton manufacturer of soft drinks" (who got 1 year), for "illegal transportation and possession of intoxicating liquor."

    "He is a friend of Col. Lindbergh."

    ata lyman voelpel 1931

    About the same time that Roscoe Turner had Gilmore the lion cub in his cockpit, in 1931 Lyman had 'Simba', a mountain lion cub. "In three months I'll have to confine Zimba in a cage", he said, "He's growing too fast, and you can't always trust a mountain lion."

    Religion: "Confuscious"

    prev. an automobile mechanic and salesman; "airplane mechanic by actual experience in 15 years. Trained in barnstorming all over the US. 7 months with China National Air Force."

    prev. exp. 2,800hrs

    ata lyman voelpel 1938

    In Hankow, China in 1938, with his "first gunner, a Chinese youth trained to handle machine guns and protect the giant Chinese bombing ships in combat" behind him. (The Courier, Waterloo)

    Address in 1940: 714 Park, Independence, MO

    Travelled to the UK on SS Antonia, (27 Aug - 6 Sep 1940) with fellow pilots

    - Jay Herald Cordner;

    - John McDonald (M.92);

    - Hubert Timmermans;

    - Walter Trimble (M.112) and

    - Barrs Whilden.

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP.  Seconded to AtFero.

     ata lyman voelpel 1943 In 1943, showing his 'Chinese safe conduct pass"

    m. 1944 Georgia [Wilson]

    Resident in Escondido, CA in 1973

    d 1984 - Los Angeles  


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Wallower, Frank Carmany

     M.331 First Officer  Frank Carmany Wallower Jr
     flag usa b.  21 Nov 1907, Webb City, Missouri 5 Feb 1941 to 4 Feb 1942 

     

         

     

    Father: Frank Carmany Wallower Sr (A Mining Engineer, later President of Tri-State Casualty Insurance Co), Mother: Marie [Russert] (Frank Sr's first wife, d. 1920 from acute meningitis), of Mission Hills Estate, Joplin, MO (now part of the Missouri Southern State University campus)

    see https://libguides.mssu.edu/wallowercollection

    Ed. Lawrenceville Prep School, NJ, Cornell University; School of Mines

    prev. Superintendent, SW Missouri Road Co.; Instructor on Government pilot training scheme

    prev. exp. 1250 hrs

    m. Apr 1932 in Joplin, Kathryn 'Kay' [Pearson] - "The bride is well known in social circles in Miami, [Oklahoma] where she resided for a number of years before moving to Joplin last summer"

    "Frank and Kay adopted a daughter named Jane, who died in childhood following a sudden illness. They then divorced and later remarried."

     

     Address in 1941: Keystone Hotel, Joplin, Missouri

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    "I have six months release from local draft board (Joplin, USA) with permission to renew each six months by writing"

     


     Postings: 2FPP, 4FPP, 4aFPP

     

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 16 Sep 1941, an engine of his Blenheim L6816 failed on take-off at White Waltham.

    Off sick from 16 Sep to 21 Nov 1941, following this accident.

     

     "This officer is entirely satisfactory in the performance of his duties"


    Travelled back to the USA on 15 Feb 1942 with fellow ATA pilot Marvin Dunlavy

    Captain, 555th Army Air Forces Base Unit Ferrying Division, Air Transport Command, from 15 Sep 1942 to 30 Jan 1946

     "He now has flown in air operations in virtually all parts of the world"

     

    d. 26 Sep 1966 (aged 58) - Centreville, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA

    "Frank was killed in an automobile accident"

    Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri, United States of America

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Walmsley, Elwood Palmer

     M.329  First Officer Elwood Palmer Walmsley 

    flag canada

    flag usa

     b. 3 Nov 1914, Toronto Canada, naturalised American

    1 Feb 1941 to 31 Jan 1942

    [364 days]

     

     ata elwood walmsleyJan 1941 Chicago Tribune

         

     

    m. Dorothy 'Laverne' [Stark], 2 sons

    prev. flying instructor

    prev. exp. 2,225 hrs

    Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL, USA

    [His brother-in-law Ken Fogelberg joined the ATA in May-41; Ken was married to Laverne's sister Jeslyn.]


    Postings: 1FPP

    "Has completely overcome his difficulties with regard to discipline and is now an excellent pilot and an excellent influence on the Pool as well."


    Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 28 Mar 1943 (age 28) when Baltimore FA427 crashed and burned on takeoff at Nassau.

    Buried in Puerto Rico's National Cemetery


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Warne, Gilman Benedict

     M.428 Flight Captain  Gilman Benedict 'Ben' Warne MBE
     flag usa b. 17 Aug 1909, Montclair, New Jersey   22 Apr 1941 to 30 Sep 1945

        Alan Jacobus 

      1945    

    ata 1FPP

    No.1 Ferry Pool Ferry pilots and Instructors, 1942.

    L-R; ‘Bill’ Harben, W J White, Jim Mollison, P L Burnett, Joan Hughes, Stewart Keith-Jopp, ‘Ben’ Warne, ‘Doc’ Whitehurst, J Shoesmith, ‘Red’ Imes, R H Henderson, Harry Ellis, Lettice Curtis, Klemens Dlugaszewski, Vic Pieper.

    ELC

     

     

    Father: Gilman B Warne, a Realtor;  Mother: Ethel Ingersol [Benedict]

     Ed. Cedar Grove Public School, Bloomfield High School

     m. 1931 Agnes Kathryn [Erbe] (1 child before 1941) (divorced 1946)

    pre. own business (Sterling Beverage Co); Curtis Propeller Co.

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1941: 41 Summit Ave, Cedar Grove, Essex, NJ (later 1156 North West 40th St., Miami, FL)

     Arrived in the UK 22 Apr 1941 on the SS Mercier with fellow American ferry pilots James Emor O'Halloran, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), Emmett Chaffin, Marvin Harrison Dunlavy (M.408), Harold Lindsey Price.


     Postings: 1FPP, 16FPP, AFTS (Instructor)

     

     4 accidents, 3 his fault:

    - 4 Jan 1942, a wheels-up landing in Harvard  P5812 due to 'bad cockpit drill'

    - 9 Jul 1942, the tail and fuselage of Oxford I BG126 were damaged during a heavy landing; as instructor, he should have taken over earlier from the pupil

    - 8 Feb 1944, forced landing in Boston IIIa BZ374, due to incorrect positioning of the fuel cock

    - 13 Aug 1944, a forced landing in Hudson I N7238:

    Certificate of Commendation, 1944, and Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 1945: "On the 13th August 1944, Flt-Capt G B Warne was instructing on a Hudson aircraft. Whilst in the air the port engine caught fire and dense smoke filled the cockpit. The pilot managed to make a wheels-up landing down-wind in a field, and succeeded in extricating himself and his pupil from the burning wreckage, with only minor injury to both."

      Ben's MBE - via  Alan Jacobus 

    [The pupil was Jane Plant; after the forced landing and having exited the burning aircraft through the cockpit side window, Ben re-entered the cockpit to lift the unconscious Jane to safety. Ben was taken to hospital with burns, Jane escaped with "nothing worse than shock"]

     "A competent and inspiring instructor"..."A most likeable officer who works hard"... "By sheer example he has maintained a high standard in his flight"


    m. 1947 in Westminster, Rose Ellen [Deacon] (d. 1995)

     

        Alan Jacobus 

    "When he retired to Columbia County, PA, he built a small airport and museum where he stored and exhibited WWII and ATA memorabilia. His ashes are interred at this airport."

     

    d. 10 Oct 1990

    He and Rose are commemorated at ATA Memorial Airfield, Pine Summit, Columbia County, PA


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Webber, Clarence Joseph

     M.164(1) (see also M.164(2) Wimmer, Roy)  First Officer  Clarence Joseph Webber
    flag usa b. 26 Sep 1913, Hardwick, MN  14 Sep 1940 to 13 Sep 1941


     ata clarence webber 1939

    1939

       ATAM    

     

    Ed, High School, Business College

    prev. Commercial Pilot and Instructor, and a bus driver for Madison Bus Co.

    Address in 1940 (mother) Route 2 University Park, Madison, WI


    Postings: 6FPP

    He "never liked tea very well, and that's one of the things he has to drink in England". He also complained about his cold, damp room.

    Seconded to AtFero from 20 Mar to  29 May 1941


    m. 1941 Pearl J [Quam]

    Captain for Pan American in 1942, based in Miami; he sent this photo of himself from Egypt:

    ata clarence webber 1942

     d. 29 Dec 1951 in the crash near Napoli, New York of Continental Charters Flight 44-2, a domestic non scheduled passenger flight from Miami, Florida to Buffalo, New York .

    "The twin engine C-46 Commando, registration N3944C, crashed approximately 10:25 pm in adverse weather conditions. Of the four crew and 36 passengers on board, 3 crew members and 23 passengers perished. The flight crew's poor judgment in attempting a flight by visual reference during instrument weather conditions was the cause of the accident." Wikipedia

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Wetzel, Martin Joseph

     M.234 *  First Officer Martin Joseph 'Marty' Wetzel 

    flag usa

     b. 1913, New York, NY  c. 26 Sep 1940 to 14 Aug 1941 

     ata martin wetzel 1940 1940  ata martin wetzel  ata martin wetzel feb 41 Feb 1941  

     

    both parents German

    Moved to Jamesburg, NJ at age 5

    prev. a bricklayer, prize fighter (professional welterweight then light-heavyweight, apparently), cabaret dancer, organiser of a dance orchestra, and political work (Member of the Middlesex County Democratic Committee)

    He also owned a night club (The Paddock) and was the owner and founder of Jamesburg Airport.

    He had been flying for about 6 years, and owned a "5-passenger Fleet biplane." 

    m. (separated)

    Address in 1940: Monroe, NJ


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Roger Inman, Howard Mussey, Edward Vencill, William Cummings and Constant Wilson.

     He and Franklyn Mershon were recruited together by Erroll Boyd. "He checked everything in a big file. My German name probably made him suspicious."

    Once in the ATA, he said his only worry was "the Brooklyn Dodger baseball team."

     "On her last fatal flight Amy Johnson and Wetzel were on the same 'run'. Martin wrote that he was forced down because of the weather but Amy Johnson went on to her death.

    Wetzel has been through several air raids but still is unable to sleep through one undisturbed. That is not the case with Franklyn Mershon of Robinsville, who went abroad with Wetzel. "Mershon doesn't wake up even in the worst of it. One night the explosions shook me out of bed so often I decided to stay up. I went to Mershon's room but he was still snoring away as if nothing was happening." Central New Jersey Home News

    Seconded to AtFero, Apr 1941


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 14 Aug 1941 - one of four ATA pilots, travelling as passengers, among the 22 killed in the crash of Liberator AM260 when taking off from Ayr.

    The others were Philip Lee (M.228), Buster Trimble and Elbert Anding.

     The cause of the crash was that "the pilot in command [Cpt Richard Charles Stafford of BOAC] started the take off procedure from runway 06 which was not suitable for the takeoff as it was too short for such aircraft."

    buried Cambridge American Cemetery

    ata martin wetzel grave

     

  • Whilden, Etheldred Barrs

     M.117 * First Officer  Etheldred Barrs 'Bill' Whilden Jr. 

    flag usa

     b. 19 Oct 1905, Douglas, Georgia 21 Aug 1940 to 4 Apr-41 

     ata bill whilden 1931 1931      

     

    m. 1928 Nellie Bunn (divorced 1932)

    m. 1932 Flora Katherine Sheffield Cassas;

     flora sheffield whilden 1932 "A three-day romance between English-born actress Flora Sheffield, of New York, and Bill Whilden, aviator, reached its climax when the pair eloped. The romance started when Miss Sheffield took flying lessons under Whilden's instruction."

    prev. Manager of the Dixie Air Transport Co, Charleston

    Drafted Apr 1941 in New York

     ata bill whilden grave

    d. 1967 - Saint Johns, Florida. Buried Los Angeles.

     

  • Whitehead, Charles Barnett

     M.577 2nd Officer  Charles Barnett Whitehead 

    flag usa

     b. 2 Nov 1904, Atlanta, GA  3 Aug 1940 then 8 Jul 1941 to 2 Dec 1941 

      ata charles whitehead ATA      

     

    ed. New York University

    m. Marion [Bushnell]

    prev. US Air Corps 1924-31

    prev. exp. 3900 hrs

    Address in 1940: 9706 Barwell Terrace, Brooklyn, NY


    Originally started with the ATA on the 3 Aug 1940, but left to join the RAF Eagle Squadron (where he served as a Pilot Officer, based in Abingdon) shortly thereafter.

    ata charles whitehead eagle sqn

    Returned to ATA in July 1941.

    Postings: Training Pool

    Fined one day's pay in Sep 1941 for turning up at the aerodrome 40 mins late "and forgot to sign register"

    Off sick from 12 Sep to 30 Sep 1941 with acute gastritis

    "Has proved to be a reliable and steady pilot"

    ATA Contract Terminated 2 Dec 1941 - Medical Grounds


    d. 15 Feb 1961 - Elizabeth, N.J.; "Former Air Force Colonel and believed to be the first American to enlist in the RAF during World War II, died after a long illness. He was one of the first to encourage women to take an interest in flying."

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Whitelaw, James Donald

     M.400  First Officer James Donald Whitelaw 
     flag usa  b. 7 Apr 1911, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania 22 Feb to 26 Nov 1941 

       1941 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

         

     

    Father: Peter Whitelaw (born in England, a machinist), Mother: Esther Kathleen [Walker] (d. 1944)

    Ed. High School, Hollidaysburg

    prev. Steel Worker (Jones & Laughlin Steel Co), crane operator, Flight Instructor; operated a flying school; pilot for Pennsylvania-Central Airlines

    prev. exp. 1485 hrs

    m. Mary Margaret [Donnelly] (divorced Jul 1941, 2 children)

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

     Address in 1941: 7724 Baxter St, Pittsburg, PA

     

    "Two Pittsburgh fliers, former millworkers who saved their money and learned to fly as a hobby, are now piloting British bombers over the English Channel [sic] to give Hitler a taste of his own medicine - but they are still saving money. They are buying National Defense Savings Bonds. Richard C James, 25, and James Donald Whitelaw, 29, of Wilkinsburg, joined the RAF last spring." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


     Postings: 14FPP

     "An average pilot who is too much inclined to please himself while on ferrying duties, without due care and consideration for others", according to Bobby Wardle, his CO at 14FPP.

     [Contract Terminated] - "his brother (John D Whitelaw, who was also his business partner) died, and he was released to attend to affairs. No adverse security reports."


     m. 1941 Anne Christina [Shaw]  (divorced 1950)

    US Army from 2 Sep 1942 to 17 Jun 1948


    Lt-Col, US Army (ATC Ferry Division), then pilot for the American Export-Import Company (Hill AFB)

    m. 18 Mar 1950 in Florida, Dorothy [Hellstrom]

      

     

    "Ogden has been selected as the western base of operations for Leeward Aeronautical, Inc, a chartered airline operation serving all parts of the American continent". James D Whitelaw, former Ogden resident and ex Air Force pilot, has been named operations manager." - The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Los Angeles, CA

     

    d. 4 Jul 1979 - Los Angeles

    Buried Hollidaysburg Presbyterian Cemetery

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Whittington, Edwin Keatley

     M.208  First Officer Edwin Keatley Whittington 
     flag usa b. 18 Oct 1913, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV  25 Nov 1940 to  24 Nov 1941

       findagrave.com

         

     

    Father: Owen Wiley Whittington; mother Ethel Parker [Thaxton]

    Ed. High School, Charleston

    pre. Circulation Dept Manager with the Charleston Gazette; pilot

    prev. exp. 250 hrs

    Address in 1940: Sissonville, Charleston, WV

    Travelled from St. Johns to Liverpool on the SS 'Nova Scotia' with fellow pilots Omar William Crim, Kenneth Douglas, Kenneth Seeds, Robert Vinson and Edmund Jarrett.


     Postings: 2FPP

     "A very efficient and steady pilot. Inclined to be over cautious in regards to flying in English weather"

     


     m. 1942 in Dade, Florida, Orpha Velma [Schultz] (one daughter, Katheryn J, b. 1944)

    d. 8 Apr 1951 when piloting a National Guard C-47, which crashed in bad weather 8 miles north of Charleston. He and 18 others were killed.

     

    Cunningham Memorial Park, Saint Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia

     

    "The pilot of the ill-fated transport, Capt. Edwin Keatley Whittington, was considered probably the best "big ship" pilot in the entire squadron [the 167th Fighter Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard]. His co-pilot on this trip, Lt. H. B. Kesler, ranked next.

    Capt. Whittington had an outstanding war record with the Air Transport Command and joined the 167th when it was formed in the spring of 1947. Before World War II he was a civilian flier and logged hundreds of hours in the air over the Charleston area.

    He was a graduate of Dunbar High School and a former employe of The Charleston Gazette, where his wife, Mrs. Orpha Whittington, also worked at one time." - https://archive.wvculture.org/history/disasters/ngcrash03.html


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wickford, Ralph Theodore

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Ralph Theodore Wickford 

    flag usa

     b. 23 May 1905, Melrose, MA  17 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata ralph wickford 1940      

     

    Adddress in 1940: Lowell Rd, Concord, MA

    d. 6 Oct 1942 (suicide) - Palm Beach, FL

    "The body of 2nd Lieut. Ralph T. Wickford, 38-year-old Army pilot, was found hanging in his quarters at Morrison Field early this morning.

    Wickford joined the Army in 1924 and became a mechanic for Jimmy Doolittle. He left the service to enter commercial aviation in 1926. He re-enlisted last January and was assigned here in April. He had more than 5,000 hrs to his credit. He once was personal pilot for Alfred G. Vanderbilt." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Wiley, Joseph Stuart

     M.427  First Officer Joseph 'Stuart' Wiley Jr 
    flag usa   b. 10 Jan 1913, Pine Bluff, AR 14 Apr 1941 to Dec-41 

    ata stuart wiley

    ata joseph wiley

    ATA

       

     

    Address in 1941: 2287 Cove Rd., Merchantville NJ

    Arkansas National Guard from 1932-35

    a Commercial Pilot

    "Extremely hard working and capable"


     He was one of three survivors of the 14 American ferry pilots sunk in the 'SS Nerissa'.

    Curtiss P 40 Kittyhawk of the 14 Sqn RNZAF in flight

    d. 10 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Kittyhawk II AK575 left Speke at 16:15. Stuart "appeared not to be too familiar with the controls of the aircraft as he spent approximately 20 minutes in running up the engine and receiving advice from the delivery crew". When last seen he appeared to be "heading north with the aircraft properly under control", but he was never seen again. He was formally presumed dead 6 months later.

    Margie Fairweather wrote: "We have had a tragedy already in no. 4b FPP. A charming American called Wiley who was posted to us left Speke on Wednesday afternoon & has not been heard of since. It is strange (or perhaps just a matter of psychology) how it always seems to be the nice ones that go and the toughs who remain."

    ata mildred to jospeh wiley "To Stuart, Happy Memories of June 1941. Mildred"

    [His fiancee's name was Marion Wilson and she lived in Little Rock...]

     

    Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial:


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wilson, Constant Penn

     M.235  First Officer Constant Penn Wilson III 

    flag usa

      b. 23 Aug 1915, Fort Smith, Arkansas 26 Sep 1940 to 25 Sep 1941 

     ata constant penn wilson ATA  ata constant penn wilson 1963 1963    

     

    Ed. Fort Smith High School and Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, OK

    prev. a Commercial Pilot

    prev. exp. 1500 hrs

    Next of kin: (Aunt) Nillie Collin Wilson, RFD #1 Fort Smith, AK


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Roger Inman, Howard Mussey, Edward Vencill, Martin Wetzel and William Cummings.

    Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP

    Off sick with (ahem) Venereal Disease from 11 Oct 1940 to 5 Jan 1941, which meant that he didn't start his training until 8 Jan 1941.

    One accident, not his fault:

    - 15 Mar 1941, forced landing in a Hurricane after engine failure.

    His initial flight test (at Uplands Airport in Ottowa) rated his flying as generally very good, but described him as "an unpreposessing type."

    His C.O. at 4FPP also rated him a "good pilot."


    Joined the Atlantic Ferry Service in WWII - see his colour photographs taken at the time

     m. 1945 Joan Evan [Peterson] and moved to Texas. This is his temporary visa to visit Brazil in 1963:

    ata constant penn wilson visa

    d. 2 Oct 1997, Houston TX


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Wimmer, Roy Edwin

     M.164(2) Flight Captain  Roy Edwin Wimmer 
     flag usa b.  4 Jun 1915, Vernal, Utah 12 Oct 1940 to 9 Jan 1943 

    http://thetartanterror.blogspot.com/2007/09/roy-e-wimmer-1915-2007.html

       findagrave.com    

     

    5ft 9in, blonde hair

    Next of kin (father): Robert Uriah Wimmer. (mother: Emma Melissa [Snyder])

    Ed. Los Angeles High School

    "As a youth of 10 years, he would escape his chores on the family farm in Idaho to visit the airport. He washed planes for two months before a pilot took him up for his first flight." -  Van Nuys News

    prev. Commercial Pilot; Instructor, Western Air College, CA

    prev. exp. 1400 hrs

     Address in 1940: 42 Ben Camp St, San Gabriel, CA, then 9123 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA

    m. 3 Oct 1940 in Arizona, Reta Fern [Baltzell] (b. Kansas 31 Aug 1920, resident in San Gabriel, CA)(divorced, remarried 1943)

    Sailed to Liverpool on the SS 'Duchess of Atholl' to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Charles Smith, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Robert Olyn Gragg.


     Postings: 2FPP, 14FPP

    Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

    He took 7 days leave and sailed to Montreal in October 1941 with fellow US airmen Donald Annibal, Robert Olyn Gragg., George Wood, Robert Vinson, Claude Cole (all ATA) and Louis Brosmer

    While there, he registered for the US Draft in Los Angeles on 17 Nov 1941:

     

    4 accidents, 1 his fault:

     - 6 Jan 1941, the tail unit of his Hurricane failed when taxying on frozen ground

    - 26 Jun 1941, a pipe line fractured in his Whirlwind

    - 23 Jun 1941, forced landing in a Whitley after hydraulic failure

    - 11 Jun 1942, a wheels-up landing in an Oxford. Although the warning horn did not sound, he was held responsible due to 'bad cockpit drill'

     

      "A first class pilot. His discipline is excellent"... "his quiet efficient manner sets a good example to other pilots"

     

    m. Apr 1942 in Bristol, England, Joan Nanette [Wightman, b. 14 Apr 1922 in Bristol] [divorced, d. 1973 in Orange County, CA]

    Travelled back to the US on SS 'Empress Scotland' then Canadian Colonial Airlines, ariving on 5 Feb 1943 with Joan.

    2 children; Michael Lee b. 1 Jun 1943, d. 2008; Diane b. 8 Apr 1945.

    Joan's mother Edith arrived in March 1946, to live with them in Burbank.


    m. 20 May 1967 in Los Angeles, Mildred Toots [Johnson, b. 1930]. 2 children David and Karen

    Joined Lockheed in 1943 as a test pilot. "His flying experiences included piloting all models and variations of the P38 Lightning, P80 Shooting Star, FX90, F94 Starfire, P2V Neptune, and R6V Constitution, in addition to 1st flights of several Constellation prototypes, the C-130 Hercules, L188 Electra, and P3 Orion. He retired from Lockheed in 1973, and moved to Orem, Utah.

    In 1990, he was inducted as an Honorary Fellow, into the Society of Experimental Test Pilots." - thetartanterror.blogspot.com

     

     d. 12 Mar 2007 - Provo, Utah

    Buried Rexburg CemeteryMadison CountyIdaho

     

     "Wanting to pilot airplanes at age 6, he sacrificed all necessary to learn to fly. He flew for ATA in England before the United States entered World War II. In Bristol, England, he married Joan Wightman. Divorced, they had two children. He married Mildred Johnson in the Los Angeles LDS Temple and they had two children.

    Flying as a test pilot for Lockheed for 30 years before retiring in 1973, he was inducted into the Society of Experimental Test Pilots in 1990. After retiring from Lockheed, he was employed for the LDS Church for 15 years.

    His wife; two sons Michael (Shawn) and David (Nicole); 2 daughters, Diane DeHart and Karen (Alan) Beagley; 11 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren survive.

    Two grandsons, his parents and seven siblings predeceased Roy." - findagrave.com

     

    Mildred d. 21 Oct 2022.


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wiss, Carl Stanley

     M.335 First Officer  Carl Stanley "Candy" Wiss 
     flag usa  b. 19 Jul 1919, Chicago, IL  28 Jan 1941 to 7 Apr 1942

       1938 - https://cnac.org/

         

     

     Father: Carl Teodor Wiss, (b. 1891 in Germany), Mother: Sophie (b. in Poland), of 470 14th St, San Francisco, CA

    Ed. High School; Wright's College

    prev. exp. 400 hrs

    prev. pilot, instructor; Flying Cadet, Army Air Corps, (Randolph Field, TX 12 Feb to 16 Jun 1940)

      Draft card, dated 16  Oct 1940


     Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 8FPP

    2 accidents, neither his fault: 

    - 4 Sep 1941, the port undercarriage leg of his Wellington X9921 retracted during landing, due to a technical fault

    - 1 Dec 1941, an "unsuccessful" forced landing on Millom airfield in Hawker Hector K9729, (of all things)   © Dave Welch Collection

     

    "A keen and enthusiastic pilot"

     

     


    Later flew for CNAC (China National Airline Corporation) 1944-48 - see https://cnac.org/wiss01.htm

    Address in 1948: 2263 37th Ave, San Francisco

    He received severe face and head injuries in the crash of a CNAC C-46 in Mukden, China on 20 Jan 1948, and flew back to the USA from there on 4 Feb 1948.

     

    "January 1, 2001
    From Jim Dalby
    "Carl Wiss -- I didn't know what happened to Carl after I left. About 1993 he called me and said that he had been a street person in San Francisco for many years. He was in terrible straits and wanted my help in getting him into the VA hospital in the Napa Valley. I got his veteran status worked out and he entered the VA hospital and died there. That is all I know. Or think I know.
    Jim."

     

     d. 26 Dec 1994, San Francisco

    Buried San Joaquin Valley National CemeterySanta NellaMerced CountyCA

    He "died leaving no known relatives or will... There is reported to be a considerable Estate."

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wolfe, John Ernest

     M.342  First Officer Joseph Ernest 'Joe' or 'Skinny' Wolfe Jr.
     flag usa b. 5 Oct 1918, Rome, Georgia  18 Feb to 29 Dec 1941 

       Chattanooga Daily Times, 29 Jun 1950

    - "He is shown in British uniform"

         Ancestry    

     

    Father: Joe Ernest Wolfe Snr, a druggist, Mother: Doris [Kennedy]

     Ed. High School

    prev. 3 yrs Commercial Pilot at Lovell Field in Chattanooga; Exhibition Flying

    here he is (r) in 1939, "one of the youngest stunt pilots in America"

      1939 Chattanooga Air Show

     

    ... and in 1940, stunt flying an Aeronca 65C for the 'Tom Cat Overall Company';

     

     

    "Another Wolfe speciality is to stall a motor in mid-air, climb from the cockpit, and crank the propeller in flight" - Macon News

     

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1941: 118 Sequioa Drive, Chattanooga, TN


     Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP

    5 accidents, 3 his fault:

    - 7 Aug 1941, an incident involving Tomahawk AK104; not blamed because he had "insufficient information on the type"

    - 25 Sep 1941, he damaged the starboard airscrew and undercarriage leg in Blenheim Z7625 while landing at Meir Aerodrome (Stoke-on-Trent), due to the leg 'jamming'

    - 1 Oct 1941, he stalled Blenheim Z7788 after a bad take-off and retracting the undercarriage too soon, also at Meir Aerodrome

    - 14 Dec 1941, a forced landing near Kendal in Boston Z2299, breaking off the front wheel, after persisting too far in bad weather

    - 23 Dec 1941, in Spitfire R6992, he took off from a narrow track rather than the runway, ran into a trench and damaged the undercarriage, then had to do a wheels-up landing at Colerne.

     

    [Contract Terminated - "Unlikely to become an efficent ferry pilot" 


     USAF from 2 Aug 1942, 25th Ferrying Squadron

    m. 29 Apr 1943 in Montana, Gertrude E [Dickerson] (divorced 1946)

    m. Sylvia [van Voast], from Houston, TX

     

    Later Major, USAF

     

     d. 19 Nov 1951 as pilot, one of three crew members who died in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet shortly after take-off from Edwards AFB, CA

     

    The Chattanooga Times, 25 Nov 1951 said he was "Chief of Experimental test operations at Edwards AFB" (but this is not quite correct - he was an Assistant Chief of the Test Operations Branch)

    They also reported that he "served in the British RAF for 14 months as a first lieutenant [sic]"... but this is definitely not correct...

    And that "he was "one of the few test pilots to fly faster than the speed of sound in the Bell X-1"...

    ... but this does not appear to be correct, either; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_X-1_flights (his name does not appear). (He was stationed with Chuck Yeager at one time, though)

      

    Buried Arlington National CemeteryArlingtonArlington CountyVirginiaUSA


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wolff, Harry

     M.330  First Officer Harry Wolff 
     flag usa b. 31 Jan 1907, Malden MA  27 Jan 1941 to Oct-41 

     

    ata harry wolff

    ATA

         

     

    prev. a Flight Instructor and commercial pilot

    beaufighter 6

    d. 28 Oct 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter T3045 stalled on approach, crashed at Norton crossroads between Shrewsbury and Wellington.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wood, Ann Watson (W.77)

     W.77  First Officer Ann Watson Wood 
     flag usa   b. 31 Mar 1918, Philadelphia PA  29 Apr-42 to Nov-45

     W077 Wood Anne ATA

     ata ann watson wood 1949 1949    

     

     

    Father: Oliver Gilman Wood, mother Mary [Colbert]

    Ed. Melrose Academy, Oak Lane, PA, the Institut de Notre Dame, Namur, Belgium, and D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY

    Address in 1943: Medomak Terrace, Waldoboro, Maine

    Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Mary (Zerbel) Hooper, Grace Stevenson, John Yingst, Lionel Kay and Dorothy (Furey) Bragg. She then returned as supernumerary co-pilot in Mitchell FV959, 10-15 Sep 1943.

    ... and again sailed from Liverpool to New York in Sep 1944, with fellow ATA pilots Mary (Zerbel) Ford and William Marthai.

    ... and finally on the 'Queen Elizabeth' on 2 Dec 1945, with Roberta (and one-year old Guy) Leveaux, James MacCallum, Margaret Lennox and Gilman 'Ben' Warne.

     "I remember looking down to see men on horseback involved in a fox hunt", she said in 1979. "At first, I was angry. I thought it was despicable behaviour while their country was at war. But as I grew familiar with the England, I realized those hunters might very well have been flying Spitfire fighters the night before. Originally, many of us were quick to judge."

    Post-WWII, Publicity and Public Relations Representative for Northeast Airlines

    Mrs Wood-Kelly

    [m. 17 Dec 1949 Andrew Jackson 'Jack' Kelly, in Boston. He was Pan American's Regional Director for Europe and the UK, and after their marriage they were based in London until 1952.]

    They were divorced "after a long separation", and he died in 1999.

    Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from d'Youville College in 2005

    First woman Vice-President of Pan American.

    She gave her name to the 'Ann Wood-Kelly Scholarship for Advanced Pilot Training', awarded by the Aero Club of New England.

    In 2003, aged 85, she said she "enjoyed buzzing around" in her Piper Arrow; "It's challenging, it keeps you on your toes, and it's beautiful and gets you where you want to go faster than cars"

    d. 14 May 2006 - Manchester-by-the-Sea

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Wood, George Henry

     M.333 First Officer  George Henry Wood 
     flag usa  b. 19 Mar 1913, Battle Creek, Michigan 8 Feb to 17 Sep 1941

       ATA

         

     

    Father: George Wood, Mother: Annie Elizabeth [Aston] (both born in England)

    Ed. High School, Junior College 

     m. Daphne Mae [Franklin] (divorced 1944)

    prev. an usher in a theatre; worker in boiler factory;  Instructor; Commercial Pilot for Arthur Carnahan Flying Service for 4 months at Bloomington Airport, IL

      Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1941: 2646 South Euclid Ave, Berwyn, Illinois

     


     Postings: 1FPP

     

    5 accidents, all his fault:

    - 9 May 1941, he got lost in poor visiblity, in Hurricane Z3463

    - 26 May 1941, flying too low in Tiger Moth T6112, he hit high tension cables

    - 21 Jun 1941, in attempting to control the swing in Hart K5028, his foot slipped off the brake pedal

    - 5 Aug 1941, he taxied his Spitfire W3697 down wind 'without due care'

    - 14 Sep 1941, he retracted the undercarriage of his Blenheim L8489 too soon, and landed with the starboard wheel retracted.

     

    Fined twice:

    - 11 Jun 1941, for low flying; fined half his salary for two weeks

    - 23 Aug 1941, $50 for the Spitfire accident at Squire's Gate

     

    "A very keen pilot who got away to a bad start. I think he is now on the way to becoming a valuable pilot" (Frankie Franics, 17 May)

    [Contract Terminated]

     


      Fairbanks Daily News Miner

     d. 10 Apr 1951 as co-pilot of C-54D Skymaster 42-72518 of the 10th (Rescue) Squadron, USAF, based at Elmendork AFB, Alaska which crashed at Ladd AFB, Alaska. 7 other crew members also died. The plane was "making practice glider snatches at low altitude" at the time of the accident.

     

    Buried  New Albany National CemeteryNew AlbanyFloyd CountyIndiana


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Wood, William Duane III

     M.--- 2nd Officer  William Duane Wood III 

    flag usa

     b.21 Aug 1903, Ozona, FL 7 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

     ata william wood 1940  1940      

     

    m. 

    Address in 1940: Key West, FL


     "Mr. Wood's experiences in England includes air raids, dodging Nazi raiders, and on one occasion while on the ground a 1,000-pound bomb fell near him but failed to explode.

    Mr. Wood also verified that the Germans have tried to invade England. "The Nazis did manage to land about 250 men while I was there and the civilians cut them into very small pieces before the troops could get at them."

    [The origin of this particularly gruesome story is not clear]


     m. 1942 Enid Mae [Johnson], 1951 Ana Dalao [d. Mar 2019]

    d. 22 Feb 1990 - Pinellas, FL 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Yingst, John Leonard

     M.350 First Officer  John Leonard Yingst 
     flag usa  b. 21 May 1915, Lebanon, PA  16 Jan 1941 to 15 Apr 1945

       ATA

         

     

    Father: Lewis Eli Yingst, mother Laura G  [Illig], of Sheridan, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

    Ed. High School, Military Academy

     prev. "Salesman. Horseman,. Pilot"; RCAF in Canada from 27 Sep 1940 to 7 Jan 1941 - Sgt Pilot Instructor

    prev. exp. 580 hrs in Waco, Travelair, Stearman, Stinson, Fleet, Yale, Harvard, Ford, Boeing, Lockheed, Anson

     


     Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

     

     4 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 12 Apr 1941, he lost his way in Magister T9682 ('completely blamed')

    - 6 Feb 1942, he stalled his Douglas DB7 Havoc (Turbinlite) W8254 at 30 ft, due to a faulty ASI

    - 12 Dec 1942, his Mustang I AG346 collided with a stationary aircraft, due to 'unsatisfactory airfield control at Prestwick'

    - 13 Feb 1943, he swung off the runway in Fulmar II N1942 and collided with a Spitfire, due to defective brakes.

     

     Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Mary (Zerbel) Hooper, Grace Stevenson, Lionel Kay and Dorothy (Furey) Bragg.

       Draft Card, dated 7 Aug 1943

     "A capable all round pilot whose capacity for work is above the average. Discipline satisfactory"... "This pilot has now delivered over 1,000 aircraft of all types"


     m. Mary Etta [Filbert]:

      1941

     d. 19 Nov 1991 - Myerstown PA

    "He was a retired farmer and antique dealer. He was a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, having served during World War II. In January 1941 he joined the ATA Division 41 Group of the British Royal Air Force as a Wing Commander [sic]. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Leonard P. Yingst and Eric L. Yingst" - The Daily News


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Young, Austin Frank

     M.452 First Officer Austin Frank Young Jr
     flag usa b. 19 Dec 1920, Indianapolis, IN  10 Apr 1941 to 9 Apr 1945 

     ata austin frank young 1959 1959

      ATAM    

     

    Ed. Culver Military Academy, Michigan State College, Tulsa School of Aeronautics

    Address in 1941: Lake Fenton, Fenton MI

    2nd Lieut in US Cavalry Reserve 1938


     He was one of three ATA pilots who survived the sinking of the SS Nerissa

     He was off sick from 9 to 25 May 1941 with "foot injuries sustained in shipwreck"

     m. 1943 Norah M L [Palmer] in London


    Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Austin Young

     

    Sailed back to the US on the 'Ile de France', with Norah, on the 26 Apr 1945. Fellow American ATA pilot Victor Pieper and his English wife Hazel accompanied them.

    His father bought a car agency - the Twin-City Chevrolet Co - in West Palm Beach for him. He "became well-known in flying and sporting-car circles."

    Divorced from Norah in 1950

     

    m. 1951 in Florida, Edith [Walters], a stewardess for Eastern Air Lines:

    edith walters young 1951

     

    m. 1954 in Florida, Corrinne Edith [Huber]  [3 children]

    In 1959 he joined up with Cuban Sergio Hernandez Reyes and Peter Lambton, the son of ex-ATA pilot Ruth Ballard, in a CIA plot to overthrow Castro. They went to Cuba, but were captured almost immediately and sentenced to jail.

    ata austin young and peter lambton 1959 Austin Young and Peter Lambton, awaiting trial

     Austin was released after 42 months, having repeatedly escaped from Cuban jails.

     Meanwhile, Corinne worked as a waitress and looked after the 3 children...

     

    d. 12 Jul 1978, Florida


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Zerbel, Mary Estelle (W.87*)

     W.87 * First Officer   Mary Estelle Zerbel
     flag usa

     b. 4 Aug 1920, Marquette MI

     10 Jun-42 to Sep-45

     

    mary zerbel ATA 

    ATA

     ATA Mary Zerbel 2    

     

    grew up in Iron River, MI

    Ed. Menominee High School, MI, Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisconsin, UCLA

    prev: Flying Instructor

    a.k.a. Mary Forrest (presumably her stage name - she studied acting before deciding against it as a career)

     Address in 1942: 8400 De Longpre Ave, Hollywood, CA

    Arrived from Nova Scotia on the 29 June 1942 with fellow ATA women pilots Una Goodwin and Peggy Lennox.

    m. 17 Aug 1942 Pilot Officer Roy Wesley Hooper from Los Angeles, serving with RAF Coastal Command (killed in action 17 Oct 1942)

    Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Grace Stevenson, John Yingst, Lionel Kay and Dorothy (Furey) Bragg. She then returned as supernumerary co-pilot in Mitchell FV956, 10-13 Sep 1943.

    m. 1943 1st-Lt John 'Jack' Hammond Ford (USAAF) (d. 1959)

    "After their return to the United States, the Fords started Fleetway, Inc., a long-distance airplane delivery company flying war surplus and other planes all over the world. In 1957, Hollywood produced a movie based loosely on the couples’ interesting life. Titled "The Lady Takes a Flyer,” the comedy-drama starred Lana Turner and Jeff Chandler as Jack and Mary Ford.

    In 1959, Jack Ford was killed when the twin-engine Beechcraft he was ferrying from Wake Island to Japan exploded four minutes after takeoff. After the accident, Mary never flew again, but instead earned her Library Science degree and worked a variety of administrative and library jobs in the United States and Europe. After she retired, Mary lived with her daughter, Pam, in Seattle and Sioux Falls, South Dakota."

    See http://sandiegoairandspace.org/blog/article/mary-ford-personal-papers

    d. 27 Sep 2012 - Pocatello, Idaho 

  • Zimmerman, Paul Ernest

     M.317 First Officer  Paul Ernest Zimmerman
     flag_usa.jpg b. 15 Jan 1904, Crandon, Wisconsin  25 Sep 1940 to 31 Oct 1941 

     

         

     

    Father: Daniel Henry Zimmerman, mother Esther [Smart]

     

    "AIRMEN RESCUEO BY FREIGHTER.

    New York, Wednesday.

    The freighter Freida has wirelessed the Mackay Radio Company that she has rescued the airmen Paul Zimmerman and Edward Moodie, who were attempting to fly to Porto Rico and were forced down off the Virginia coast yesterday morning." - Yorkshire Evening Post 16 Dec 1931

     

    prev. a railroad brakeman; Flight Instructor for Republic of Honduras, Jul 1936-Feb 1937

    He travelled back to the US from Honduras in May 1938

    Address in 1940: 150 State Street, Albany NY


     Postings: 2FPP

     

    Seconded to AtFero

     


     Flew to Baltimore from Foynes, Eire on BOAC's Boeing Model 314A 'Clipper', G-AGCA "Berwick" with Gordon Store as pilot, arriving 2 Jun 1942

     

     

    Paul's Registration Card, dated September 1943

     

    Holder of the Transtlantic Air Record in 1944:

    "Another Record.

    Air Ministry News Service also announce a new Transatlantic air record with Liberator by the Atlantic Group of the Transport Command.

    Captain Paul Zimmerman and his crew made non-stop flights from Montreal to Britain and back. They returned in the same aircraft in 39 hours 17 minutes, including a stop of 9 hours 19 minutes in Britain. The airborne time for the double crossing of 6300 statute miles was thus only 29 hours 58 minutes. The direct flight from Montreal to Britain was made in 15 hours 9 minutes, and the return in 14 hours 49 minutes " - Dundee Evening Telegraph, 10 Mar 1944

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey 

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