War Bird Ace: The Great War Exploits of Capt. Field E. Kindley

8. Return to the United States

Chapter Eight Return to the United States We had more fun in the old days when pilots flew those old crates covered with fabric and held together with wire, without parachutes or pushbuttons. And as they say, those men were a race apart; those jacketed , goggled knights, those airborne warriors lived and fought and died according to all the rules of chivalry. War in those days was a test of valor. Charles Batty, 141st Aero Squadron, quoted in Brown and Dodds, History of the 141st Aero Squadron in World War I, 4 T he New York Times headline, June 28, 1919, read: “Famous Ace Returns. Capt. Kindley Brings Home Two Hard-Earned Decorations .” The New York newspaper went on to say, “Captain F. E. Kindley, next to ‘Eddie’ Rickenbacker, America’s greatest ace, returned yesterday on the transport Tiger, which brought 2,546 troops into port. Captain Kindley, who is officially credited with downing twelve German planes, was in command of the 141st Aero Squadron, which was also on board.”1 In another newspaper and in an article filed by the Associated Press, Kindley and his exploits were featured. He fought twenty-seven battles near Cambrai and Amiens as a squadron flight leader. One of the most thrilling of these, he said, occurred last September 28 near the Canal du Nord. After he had been transferred from the British squadron to the 128 | WAR BIRD ACE One Hundred and Forty Eighth American Pursuit Squadron, he started out with three other fliers in single-seater planes and at an altitude of 5,000 feet, near the German lines, the four aviators discovered that another American pursuit squadron was being attacked by twenty-five German machines. The quartet flew to their comrades’ aid. The fight lasted seven minutes, during which one of the Americans was shot down. Capt. Kindley’s machine was struck forty-seven times, his pilot’s cap pierced, his goggles knocked off, and his leather jacket perforated, but he escaped injury. More Kindley heroics were noted: “A machine gun bullet struck his gasoline tank, but the hole was above the fluid. Four of the Germans were sent down and the others flew back to their own lines, allowing the Americans to return to their hangars.” The newspaper account, apparently based on an interview with Kindley, concluded with the remark, “Capt. Kindley eulogized his mechanics, declaring ‘it was their continuous vigilance and careful work that counted most in achieving victory.’”2 Another newspaper quoted Field more extensively regarding his flight crew. “I could not make any statements about flying without paying a tribute to the mechanics of the air force who worked night and day behind the lines to enable the flying men to take the air,” he said. “The life of the pilot is in the hands of his mechanics, and every moment of safety depends upon the carefulness and skill with which they have done their work. The best friends I had in France were the two men who kept my machine in order. If the mechanics understood their business and are faithful, the pilot with a little luck has a chance to come through with a whole skin.”3 Kindley’s remarks reflected a true modesty on his part and a sincere appreciation for his ground support. Such attention by the press must have been pleasing to Captain Kindley upon his arrival in New York. He had become more newsworthy because he was the highest ranking U.S. air ace still remaining in the Air Service. Also, the arrival home of such a large military contingent, signaling the near-end of the European pull-out and the approaching conclusion of the World War I demobilization, made the debarkation of the troop ships more significant. It also marked a new period in Captain Kindley’s life. His high adventure in Europe had come to an end. His Return to the United States | 129 141st Aero Squadron was to be demobilized at Hazelhurst Field, New York, so he would no longer have a command.4 He had an uncertain career ahead, and he had no assurance that the flying he loved would necessarily continue. Even though he was back in the United States, he was a considerably different individual than when he had left it in 1917, and his more mature perspective toward life, jobs, and family relations meant he must be ever more...