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Chapter Seven The Postwar Experience To defeat the enemy we must meet his improvement by improving ourselves. Lt. Field E. Kindley, lessons-learned report, in Mauer, U.S. Air Service in World War I T HE REASSIGNMENT of the 148th Aero Squadron to Toul, France, on November 1, 1918, and the subsequent November 11 Armistice ending World War I may have saved Lt. Field Kindley’s life. As has been noted, he had expressed concern about his fraying nerves and wished for a break in his combat flying. It seems highly possible that if Kindley’s move to Toul and the process of transition to a new aircraft had not occurred, he might have been on that psychological downward spiral wherein that dreaded one last offensive patrol could have been his last.1 This thought is reinforced by a medical evaluation that Kindley received by the Office of the Surgeon, Air Service Examination Board, on November 24, 1918. Capt. D. S. Edwards, the examiner, stated in his report: “Examination of the Lieut. (1st Lt. Field E. Kindley) finished this date shows he is suffering from a typical case of flying fatigue.” The examination detailed “low blood pressure,” “high pulse rate,” “nervous tremor marked,” “reflexes markedly exaggerated,” “very restless,” and “History of nervous head aches.” The doctor’s recommendation was that “Lieut. Kindley be given two or three months leave, at the end of this time to be returned to duty.”2 Four days later, on November 28, Kindley wrote to his father in the Philippines that “because of my health or nerves I was given by an Army medical board three months leave. Through this I was given orders for home.” He added that he “had dreams of being home in two The Postwar Experience | 109 or three weeks.” But the thrust of his letter continued with a complete about-face. He had elected not to return to the United States “because I thought it best for you.”3 In truth, Field Kindley had made a momentous career decision rather than thinking what was best for his father. His late November letter told the story. “Two hours before I was to board a train enroute home the Chief of the Air Service called me into his office. Understand I have been trying to get a commission in the regular army and this Chief of Air Service has been very kind to help me etc. He said that if I wanted a regular commission he thought he had a proposition that it would make it better for me. He offered me the command of a very popular Aero Squadron over here. I could take it or leave it. I took it.” According to Kindley’s letter, the chief of the Air Service promised him a captaincy leading eventually to the rank of major. “So I guess it was best I took it,” he concluded. “However it was mighty hard to refuse going home. He has given me seven days leave in England to get my D. F. C. (Distinguished Flying Cross). Shall enjoy myself.” Thus, Kindley got a much shortened leave, which probably didn’t matter so much since combat flying had ceased, and he decided to remain in the Air Service. On the same date, November 28, he also wrote his cousin Uther and said, “You see I have had a funny idea of wanting to stay in the army so if I do stay over here, till the thing is over, I shall stand a better show.”4 Lt. Field Kindley got his coveted squadron command on December 21, 1918, when Special Orders 39 from Headquarters 4th Pursuit Group assigned him as commanding officer of the 141st Aero Squadron.5 His promotion to captain, equally sought, would not come until February 24, 1919.6 The third element in Kindley’s career decision-making, a permanent or regular officer’s commission in the U.S. Army, was initiated November 20 when he wrote a letter formally requesting that status. The request went upward through military channels with endorsed recommendations for approval. In addition, Kindley secured personal letters of support. In a “To Whom It May Concern” letter from Captain Newhall, the 148th commander, he had the ringing supportive comment: “I cannot recommend him too highly for a Captaincy in the Regular Army. . . . He has shown the qualities of an officer in the air and on the ground.” Newhall went on to say, “He has a...

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