James William Pearson

James William Pearson

James William Pearson, 1918
Born (1895-04-02)April 2, 1895
Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
Died January 26, 1993(1993-01-26) (aged 97)
Montclair, New Jersey, USA
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch Royal Air Force (United Kingdom)
Rank Captain
Unit

Royal Air Force

Battles/wars  World War I
Awards British Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre
Other work Longest surviving American ace of World War I

Captain James William Pearson was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.[1]

Early life

Pearson's home town was Nutley, New Jersey, despite his Connecticut birth.[2]

World War I

Pearson was promoted to 2nd lieutenant (temporarily) in October 1917.[1]

He was assigned to 23 Squadron at Bertangles, who originally operated Spads. They later re-equipped with Sopwith Dolphins, and Pearson began to score confirmed "downs" of enemy aircraft.[3] Between 30 May and 1 November 1918, he destroyed six enemy planes (one of which was a joint victory with Harry Compton) and drove six others down out of control.[4]

Postwar

Pearson founded the J. W. Pearson Textile Company, from which he retired in 1960. Upon his death in 1993, it was realized that Pearson was the last surviving American ace from World War I.[5]

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. (A./Capt.) James William Pearson. (FRANCE)

On 26 October, while leading a patrol, this officer observed a formation of enemy scouts. Diving to the attack, he engaged one and drove it down out of control. He then attacked a second, which he drove down to crash. In all he has accounted for seven enemy aircraft, setting at all times a fine example of skill and courageous determination.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/pearson1.php Retrieved on 11 April 2010.
  2. ↑ American Aces of World War 1. p. 41.
  3. ↑ American Aces of World War 1. p. 41.
  4. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/pearson1.php Retrieved on 11 April 2010.
  5. ↑ American Aces of World War 1. p. 41.
  6. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31170/pages/2044 Retrieved on 11 April 2010.

Bibliography

American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, ISBN 978-1-84176-375-0.

External links


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