News Letter 1941 Jul-Dec - Air Force Historical Studies Office

Atkinson Field, British GUiana, was named
for Maj. ~ert M. Atkinson, whose leadership
of the 1st Pursuit Wing in France won him a
recommendation for the Distinguished Service
Medal. He twice was cited for meritori-
OUIl service and received the Lee:ion of Honor
and Croix de Guerre with Palm tFrench).
A native of Newman Ga., he attended the
Georgia Military Coliege and the University
of Georgia and wa., commissioned a 2nd Lieut.
in the Regular Army in 1911, rieiDi; to Major
bY 1917. After the War he was retired ~or
dlsability and died in 1937.
fernam Field, Jamaica, was named for 1st
Lieut. Remington d~. Vernam, credited with
bringing down three or more enemy airplanes
and two or more balloons. He took part in.
numerous engagements ...was ci ted for heroism,
and died of wounds vecember 1...1918, after
being taken prisoner. The vistinguished
Service Cross was conferred upon him ,posthumously.
He was born at Ru therford 1
N. Y., and attended
St. John's Military cademy.
Harmon Field~ Stephenville~ Newfoundland,
was named for vapt. Ernest.l!i. Harmon, who
served as an instructor and test pilot during
th!" ~'iarand La ter specialized In patents
and as a test pilot for bombers. He was
born in Dallas, Tex., and was killed in 1933
bailing out on a test flight.
Windwards For New Yorker
Beane Field St. Lucia, Windward Islands,
gets its name trom 1st Lieut. James D. ~eane,
a nativeofUew York City ..who went to France
in 1916 as an ambulance rield worker. He
enlisted in the A.E.F. at Paris in 1917 and
was commissioned after receiving flying
training. His role in an air battle June 30,
1918, in which he was wounded, won him the
Croix de Guerre. Upon his return to the
front he was cited for the Distinguished
Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in
battling eight enemy planes. He was credited
with more than five enemy airplanes before
his death in action was reported October
30, 1918.
Waller Field, Trinidad, was named for Maj.
Alfred E. Waller. a native of Morganfiela..
KY., whoenliste~ in the Army in 1917 an~
was commissioned as a 2nd Lieut. in May,
1918 after flying training. He was promote!
to 1st Lieut. in 1920, became a flying
instructor, and was elevated to Captain
in 1932, and to Major in 1935. He was
killed December 11, 1937, in a crash at
Langley Field, Va.
Campbell Field Island of Great Exuma,
~ahamaSi was name! for 1st Lieut. Murton L.
Campbel a native of Columbus, Ohio, who
was cite! for the Distinguished Service
Cross for gallantry in action. On June 20,
1918, he was killed in action while flying
behind the German lines.
23, 1918, he vas reported milling but later
it was revealed that he had been taken
prisoner. Sublequent17L he wall recommended
for the Bronze Oak Lear to the D.S.C., and
at the end of the War he was honorably diecharged
and returned to civilian life.
Esler Field Camp Beauregard, La., wal
named for and tieut. Wyler Esler, who was
killed April 11 1941 in a crash at the
field that will ~Aar hIs name. Born in 1916
at Des Moines, Iowa, Lieut. Esler wasa
graduate commercial pilot when as a commiesioned
officer of the National Guard he was
inducted into the Federal Service on October
5, 1940.
Geiger Field will be the new name of ~
set Field. Spokane, Wash. It was named in
honor of Maj. Harold Geiger! veteran dirigible
pilot ..who was killed in 927. A native of
Plainrield, N.J., he was a graduate of the
U.S. Military Academy and served in France
in 1918.
Hewas sent to Italy in 1919 to stud.Y dirigibles
and upon his return to the United
States, specialized in lighter-th~air
craft. He also served as military attache
to The Hague and to Berlin. He was killed
in an airplane crash at Middletown, Pa.
Georgia Field For Georgian
Cochran Field, Macon, Ga., was named for
1st Lieut. Robert J. Cochran, who was born
at Camilla, Ga •.a. and attended the University
of Georgia and The Citadel. Sent to France
on flying duty in 1918 he was attached to
the lOlst Observation S~uadron as an observer
and was killed in action in the St. Mihiel
offensive October 10, 1918.
First Lieut. r.B. Tyndall for whom Tyndall
Field, Panama City, .,a., l was named,
was born a~ Sewells Point, Fla., and attended
Valparaiso University.
He was sent to France in 1917, vhere he
received flying instruction and was commiesioned
March 22, 1918. He scored four air
victories, became a flight commander and
was recommended for the Distinguished ~ervice
Cross.
For ten years after the War he did diBtinguished
work as a te st pilot and mili t~
representative at aircraft factories. ~e
was killed July 15, 1930, in an airplane
accident near Mooresville, N.C.
Buckley Field Denver Colo. was named
for 2nd Lieut. john Harold ~uckiey. a native
of Longmont Colo. After atten~ing the
Universi ty ot Colorado and serVing in the
National Guard! he enlisted in the Regular
Army. Januar,r 30, 1918. He vas commissioned
a 2n~ Lieut. after receiving flyiDi; training.
Sent to France, March 12, 1918, he was killed
in an aCCident, September 27, 1918.
---000---
PROMOTION OF .AIR CORPS OFFICERS
lirst Lieut. Paul Frank ~aer, for whom
Baer Field ..Ft. Wayne, Ind., was named, was President Roosevelt sent to the Senate the
a native or that city and enlisted in the nominations for promotion to major general
!Tench Army February 26, 1917. Later he of Brig. Generals Gerald C. Brant, RUsh B.
transferred to the Lafayette Escadrille Lincoln. Walter R. Weaver. Lewis H. ~rereton.
where his gallantry in action won him the Millard F. Harmon and Herbert A. Dargue.
commendation of Gen. Pershing, and he received
the Distinguished Service Cross.
The promotions tg brigadier ~neral ot
Colonels Edwin ~. Lyon. Henry J. --'. Miller
v.... ~d lialph P Jl, Cousins were also submitted to
While battling eight enemy planes, ~ the Senate xor confirmation.
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