The Historical
U.S. 22nd Aero Pursuit Squadron
2nd Pursuit Group, 1918
The SPAD XIII of Major Robert L. Walsh.
"The Fokker D. VII was superior in several ways to the SPAD, and the Jastas were manned by veterans of the long fight against the best British fighter squadrons. The 22nd Squadron History reads:
"'With the German strategic retreating point in the region of Stenay, the Boche in the air grew more concentrated. Gradually the Allied planes were admittedly not superior to the foe. SPAD patrols were numerous, but not enough liaison existed between them, whereas the Boches were evidently practiced...Formations of three, six, seven and as many as seventeen planes, [in] circles and rocket groups, which split in all directions; baiting tactics, and cloud hiding were all exhibited.'
"October 5th was a typical day. Capt. Bridgman, leading his squadron, swept several enemy two seaters from the lines near Romagne and, after the patrol had dwindled to five because of engine trouble and gun jamming, fifteen of the enemy fighters dropped down out of the haze, all guns blazing. Henry Hudson was shot down in the first pass. Outnumbered three to one, the other pilots did well to escape.
"The 22nd Sqdn. suffered most of its casualties at Belrain. Of 24 pilots on the roster of October 1st, nine were gone in the next 42 days. John Agar and James Biggs were killed in crashes at the airdrome. John Sperry and George Tiffany were POWs. James Beane, Howard Clapp, Edward Gibson and Henry Hudson were killed in combat. Remington Vernam died of wounds. The average time at the front among these pilots was but 53 days."
~ from Wings of Honor, by James J. Sloan, Jr., p. 256.
"History of U.S. 22nd Aero Squadron" by Arthur Raymond Brooks, et al. (.pdf)
U.S. 22nd Pursuit Squadron, Operational July 1, 1918
Commanding officers - Operatonal Period
Ray C. Bridgman, Captain 8-12-18/Armistice
Garland W. Powell, Lieutenant 1-21-18/6-17-18 at Front with RFC/RAF
George B. Gillson, Operations Officer
8-12-18/Armistice
Operational Period Staff
Adjutant - George M. Lindsay
Supply - Lester D. Egbert
Medical - Arthur J. Lewis
Engineering - Henry K. B. Davis
Armament - Dell B. Hardin
Combat Airmen
[Name * Previous squadron (if applicable) -- Service Dates from and to]
1920 U.S. 22ND MEMORIAL ROSTER, (.pdf) Right Click "Save As..." is probably the easier way to view it. Courtesy of "Chez Jacq'."
ACES OF THE 22ND
Lieut. Jacques Michael Swaab
Home Town: New York, N.Y.
* 10 Victories *
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jacques M. Swaab, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Montfaucon, France, September 28, 1918, and in the region of Champignuelle, October 27, 1918. On September 28 Lieutenant Swaab, although himself pursued by two enemy planes, perceiving one of his comrades in distress and in danger of being shot down, dived upon the enemy plane which was directly behind that of his comrade and shot the enemy plane out of control, forcing it to withdraw. His prompt act in going to the assistance of his comrade enabled the latter to escape. On October 27 Lieutenant Swaab and another member of his group engaged in combat with seven enemy planes. In this encounter, although outnumbered, Lieutenant Swaab continued in his attack and succeeded in shooting down an enemy D. F. W. observation plane."
~ Distinguished Service Cross, General Orders No. 53, W.D., 1920.
Lieut. Clinton Leonard Jones, Jr.
Home Town: San Francisco, CA.
* 8 Victories *
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clinton Jones, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, October 30, 1918. Lieutenant Jones, while attacking four enemy planes (Fokker type), was in turn attacked from above and obliged to dive through a formation of 15 planes (Fokker type). His plane was riddled with bullets, but he managed to destroy one of the enemy machines."
~ DSC citation, General Orders No. 66, W.D., 1919.
"The Distinguished Service Cross [with Oak Leaf Cluster] is presented to Clinton Jones, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, October 18, 1918. Second Lieutenant Jones was a member of a patrol which succeeded in hedging in a fast enemy bi-place plane. Approaching the enemy plane, Lieutenant Jones signaled the enemy to give up and land. The reply was a burst of machinegun fire, which cut his wind shield and set fire to his plane. He then closed in and shot the German pilot and sent the plane crashing to the ground. He landed in his own plane and extinguished the flames."
~ DSC Oak Leaf Cluster citation, General Orders No. 66, W.D., 1919.
Lieut. James Dudley Beane
Home Town: Concord, Mass.
* 6 Victories *
"He instantly made his mark in the Squadron by his courage and spirit in fighting. On 30 June 1918, while on patrol, was attacked by several enemy aircraft, and although seriously wounded (two fingers of the left hand cut off) succeeded in escaping and bringing back his disabled machine. In this instance he displayed much ability and great coolness."
~ Croix de Guerre citation.
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Dudley Beane, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bantheville, France, October 29, 1918. When Lieutenant Beane's patrol was attacked by eight enemy planes (Fokker type) he dived into their midst in order to divert their attention from the other machines of his group and shot down one of the Fokkers in flames. Four other Fokkers then joined in the battle, one of which was also destroyed by this officer."
~ Distinguished Service Cross citation (posthumous), General Orders No. 46, W.D., 1919.
Capt. Arthur Raymond Brooks
Home Town: Framingham, Mass.
* 6 Victories *
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Arthur Raymond Brooks, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action over Mars-la-Tour, France, September 14, 1918. When his patrol was attacked by 12 enemy Fokkers over Mars-la-Tour, 8 miles within the enemy lines, Second Lieutenant Brooks alone fought bravely and relentlessly with eight of them, pursuing the fight from 5,000 meters to within a few meters of the ground, and though his right rudder control was out and his plane riddled with bullets, he destroyed two Fokkers, one falling out of control and the other bursting into flames."
~ Distinguished Service Cross citation, General Orders No. 123, W.D., 1918.
Lieut. Remington Vernam
Home Town: New York, N.Y.
* 6 Victories *
"The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Remington D. B. Vernam, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Buzancy, France, October 10, 1918. Successively attacking two enemy balloons, which were moored to their nests, Lieutenant Vernam displayed the highest degree of daring. He executed his task despite the fact that several enemy planes were above him, descending to an altitude of less than ten meters when five miles within the enemy lines. His well-directed fire caused both balloons to burst into flames."
~ Distinguished Service Cross citation (posthumous), General Orders No. 46, W.D., 1919.
U.S. Air Service Victory Credits Ranked in Order By Unit
SQDN: Enemy Airplanes downed / Balloons / [Total Enemy Downed] / Days on Front / Enemy Aircraft confirmed per day
RECOMMENDED
America's First Eagles:
The Official History
of the U. S. Air Service, 1917-1918
by Lucien H. Thayer.
* For further regarding the historical U.S. 22nd Pursuit Squadron see "Chez Jacq'."
