chapter-2 Flashcards
In June 1907, what event began the story of today’sAir Force? (35)
Cpl Edward Ward and Pvt Joseph Barrett of the US Army Signal Corps were directed to learn to inflate and repair balloons at Fort Wood on Bedloes Island (now called Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.
Describe how the US military’s air arm developedfrom the Aeronautical Division, US Army Signal Corps (1907-1914), to today’s US Air Force. (35-Fig)
1) Aviation Section, US Army Signal Corps (1914-1918); 2) Division of Military Aeronautics, Secretary of War (1918);3) Army Air Service (1918-1926); 4) Army Air Corps (1926-1947) - General HQ (GHQ) Air Force (1935-1939); 5) US Army Air Forces (1941-1947), and 6) US Air Force (1947- Present)
When did the US Army first use balloon detachments? (35)
During the Civil War.
Name the freelance civilian who made the first useful balloon reconnaissance mission for the Army in 1861. (35)
John La Mountain.
What did Thaddeus Lowe demonstrate that a balloon could do? (35)
Effectively direct artillery fire by telegraph.
Whose balloon, Santiago, was used by the SignalCorps during the Spanish-American War? (35)
William Ivy Baldwin. (His wife helped build the 14,000 cubic foot balloon.)
Where and when did the Wright brothers first flytheir heavier-than-air craft? (36)
At Kitty Hawk, NC in 1903. (This stimulated public enthusiasm for aeronautics.)
Where did the War Department send Ward andBarrett, the first two enlisted men assigned to the Signal Corps’ small Aeronautical Division, on 2July1907? (36)
They reported to the Leo Stevens balloon factory in New York City to be schooled in fabric handling, manufacturing buoyant gases, and the inflation and control of balloons.
Who headed the new three-person-strong Aeronautical Division of the US Army Signal Corps in 1907? (36)
Capt Charles Chandler (assisted by Cpl Edward Ward and Pvt Joseph Barrett).
Who became the Army’s first enlisted pilot in 1912?(36)
PFC Vernon Burge.
In August 1908, the Wright brothers arrived at FortMyers with the US Army’s first airplane, Aeroplane No. 1. Why was this more than four years after the Wright brothers’ first successful flight? (36)
Because the government refused to accept that man had flown in a heavier-than-air machine.
What was the name of the Army’s first dirigible?(36)
Dirigible No. 1.
Who died while testing Aeroplane No. 1 at Fort Myers in September 1908? (36)
Lt Thomas E. Selfridge. (Further testing was suspended until the summer of 1909. The Signal Corps formally accepted Aeroplane No. 1 on 2 August 1909.)
Who was in charge of Aeroplane No. 1 when part ofthe Aeronautical Division of the US Army Signal Corps arrived at Ft Sam Houston, TX in 1910? (36)
Lt Benjamin D. Foulois. (He taught himself to fly.)
At Ft Sam Houston, what did Pvts Glenn Madoleand Vernon Burge, along with a civilian mechanic, build to improve the first fragile aircraft? (36)
A wheeled landing system.
By October 1912, the Aeronautical Division had 11aircraft, 14 flying officers and 39 enlisted mechanics. Name the mechanic who was the first enlisted person to die in a military aircraft accident. (36-37)
Cpl Frank Scott. (Scott AFB, IL is named in his honor.)
Name the Air Force squadron activated on 5 March 1913. (36-37)
The 1st Aero Squadron (Provisional).
When Congress authorized the aviation section ofthe Signal Corps on 18 July 1914, how many officers and enlisted men were authorized? (37)
60 officers and 260 enlisted men.
What military rating did Congress create when itauthorized the aviation section of the Signal Corps? (37)
“Aviation mechanician.” (It gave a 50% pay increase for enlisted men “instructed in the art of flying” while on flying status, limited such personnel to 40 and specified that no more than 12 enlisted men could train as aviators.)
In March 1916, what did President Woodrow Wilsonorder the 1st Aero Squadron to do? (37)
Help protect the border with Mexico and apprehend the rebel Pancho Villa.
What type of missions did the 1st Aero Squadron fly their eight Curtiss JN-3 “Jennies” on while protecting the border with Mexico? (37)
They flew reconnaissance flights and delivered mail and dispatches.
The fruitless Punitive Expedition against PanchoVilla was recalled after 11 months. How was this first demonstration of US air power impressive? (37)
It wasn’t impressive, but instead was deeply disappointing.
The hunt for Pancho Villa was unsuccessful; however, what valuable aviation lessons were learned? (37)
Lessons about aviation under field conditions, including the need for adequate maintenance and plenty of backup aircraft to rotate into service.
Which two countries did Americans fly with as earlyas 1915 in the European war? (37)
Great Britain and France.
The American-manned Lafayette Escadrille ofFrance included one of the very few enlisted Americans, and the only African American man of any nationality, to serve as a pilot. Who was he? (38)
Cpl Eugene Bullard. (He was the son of a former slave from Georgia.)
- Despite his record of daring and dedication, Bullard was denied the officer’s commission accorded other escadrille aviators when they were incorporated into theAmerican ____ . (38)
American Expeditionary Force (AEF).
Sgt Fred C. Graveline served as an observer for both V the aircraft and balloon corps during WWI. How was he honored? (38)
An observer and aerial gunner, he was one of only four enlisted personnel to receive the Distinguished Service Cross.
Gen Mitchell successfully proved that airplanescould sink battleships beginning in 1921. Name the bombardier who distinguished himself in 1923 with innovative tactics to score direct hits. (39)
Sgt Ulysses “Sam” Nero.
What did the relatively limited air activities focus onthrough the mid-1920s? (39)
Establishing records, testing equipment and garnering headlines.
Between World Wars, enlisted men participated in a range of experimental work. What was Sgt RalphBottriell the first person to test? (39)
The first backpack-style freefall parachute in 1919. (He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1933 for service as an experimental parachute tester.)