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

9. Fallen Aerial Warrior

Chapter Nine Fallen Aerial Warrior His nature was generous, loving and appreciative. He was brave, daring and courageous and adored by his men and fellow officers. Gravette News Herald, February 13, 1920 E N ROUTE to his new assignment in Texas, Capt. Field E. Kindley stopped in Gravette, Arkansas, to visit relatives and friends. Once again, his hometown celebrated his arrival. At one point he was honored by the citizens with the presentation of a “handsome gold watch.” One young townsman remembered his very shiny brown boots.1 Others were impressed with his modesty and his military bearing. During his short stay there he expressed the wish to bring his father back from the Philippines to join him and perhaps to live in Gravette. Captain Kindley’s destination, Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, and his assignment as commander of the 94th Aero Squadron seemed a promising beginning of the year 1920. Only a few years earlier, the young pioneer military aviator Benjamin Foulois had been ordered to survey a landing field in the San Antonio area. He chose a 700-acre site to the south of the city, which would become Kelly Field, named after the first American military aviator killed while flying a military aircraft. On April 5, 1917, the former cotton field received the inaugural four JN-4 Jenny trainers. During World War I it became a training center for mechanics and specialists of various kinds, as well as pilots.2 After the war, Rickenbacker’s famed 94th Aero Squadron was stationed there, and Captain Kindley now would be in charge of this well-known and important Air Service organization. Kelly Field had become a lively and major Air Service aerodrome. 146 | WAR BIRD ACE Kindley scarcely had time to settle himself in his new community and new aero unit when he was confronted with the major task of preparing for a visit by Gen. John J. Pershing, the noted World War I commander of the American Expeditionary Force in France. In addition, Kindley had been ill with the flu since his arrival and had been ordered to stay in his quarters. The doctor had trouble keeping him there, so Kindley soon began the urgent preparatory work in the squadron. There was much excitement over Pershing’s forthcoming inspection . Kelly Field was in a celebratory state of mind, and the 1st Pursuit Group and its squadrons rejoiced in the opportunity to “show itself at its best.” Practically all the aces who had survived World War I and had remained in the Air Service were at Kelly Field. Some had been decorated by the general, and they would again be able to see the famed commander. They were to fly at the head of their squadrons as they had done in Europe. There would be an aerial pass-in-review, and then they would execute maneuvers as they had against the Germans.3 Each of the Kelly Field squadrons planned some stunt or operational tactic to impress and honor the general. The 94th Aero Squadron had S.E. 5s, and Kindley decided to demonstrate a flight of five aircraft flying in formation and firing at a ground target. Kindley, leading the flight, practiced the unit’s maneuver on the Saturday preceding the Tuesday arrival of Pershing, but on that day he was not satisfied with the tightness of the formation.4 Although it was the custom at Kelly Field to “cease work from Saturday noon until Monday morning,” the Pursuit Group elected to continue their practice maneuvers and take time off after Pershing’s visit. On Sunday, February 1, 1920, Kindley’s flight took off in good formation. Experiencing mechanical problems, one of Field’s aircraft came back to the field and landed, and Kindley circled the airdrome and then approached the firing demonstration area. As the formation began its dive toward the designated area, Kindley saw some enlisted men in the vicinity of the target. Sensing that other formation pilots might not see the men and might open fire, Field went full throttle and skimmed over the target at low altitude to warn the men on the ground. Three passes were made over the designated point. On the last pass Captain Kindley’s aircraft appeared to be working perfectly as he eased his throttle off, turned slightly, and glided at high speed over some mesquite woods. According to Kindley’s friend and Fallen...