Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-06

bravery and good work, an honor
which has not before been conferred on
an American aviator is further ex-
planned and made sure in the last let
ter which Mrs. A. F. Goodrich of Hal
lowell has received from her son, and
that the boy to receive the honor is no
less than Frank f. Goodrich, now with
the Royal Flying Corps of England,
seeing active service in France is mod
estly acknowledged by him. BY the
tone of his letter one can plainly see
that this brave lad Of Maine who fights
with an airship under the English colors
on French soil and against German en-
emies is wrapped up in his work, and is
successful in his work because it is his
ambition, his soufand heart work.
Relatives Of Frank Goodrich were
recently in receipt Of a telegram which
briefly stated that he had received the
Military Cross, the news coming from
people in England. He briefly explains
the details of the honor and says that
ne can hardly believe that he has re-
ceived it.
In other parts of his letter young
Goodrich touches upon the recent sea
battle and can not resist from praising
the methods used by the enemies. the
Huns, although he is very bitter
against them. He gives the opinion of
an English soldier in France upon the
great Verdun struggle and again shows
his aversion for the Huns.
A rather peculiar incident lies in the
facts that, the date Of Frank Good
rich's last letter before the June one,
was May Is, that May II was the latest
date on which Immelmann the German
aviator had been heard from, when he
brought down his fifteenth airshlp,
that on June % the news was received
with a Berlin date line via London that
Immelmann the German aviator was
reported to have been killed, on the
same day Frank Goodrich's letter was
printed in the Journal, in which he des-
cribed the methods used by lmmel-
mann and told Of the great dislike har-
bored for that German destroyer by all
Englishmen and how they all would
risk their lives to get his, and then the
last letter from young Goodrich was
dated June 5.
From these dates and connections we
gather that young Goodrich had writ
ten his latest letter just seventeen days
before the news Of Immelmann's end
was flashed over the wires. We can
readily suppose that the next letter
from this brave young man may give
details concerning the end Of this re-
nowned aviator, as he worked consider
ably in the territory now occupied by
the Royal Flying Corps.
Frank Goodrich writes to his mother,
Mrs. A. F. Goodrich in Hallowell under
the date Of June as follows:
"A" Flight,
No. Squadron, r. F. c..
British Expeditionary Force,
June 5th., '16.
Dearest Mother:
Am few days late with my
weekly letter, for which l apologize.
We have had an unusually long spell of
perfect flying weather and of course,
have had to make the most of it, to the
exclusion of everything else. But the
inevitable break came last night and
today old J. Pluvius is evidently deter
mined to make up for lost time for
there has been a steady downpour
since early morning and appears to be
good for the rest Of the day. For
which let us be truly thankful.
We'll, Mother, | have bit of news
for YOU. The King Of England has
honored your affectionate son by con-
ferring upon me the military Cross.
Although word came through yesterday
and I have received the united con
gratis" of NO. 8" Squadron and many
other people, still can hardly realize
it vet. | was out with my scout" yes
terday morning and when l landed on
the aerodrome on my return. was met
by bowling mob Of officers. thought
they had suddenly gone mad and were
thirsting for my blood until order was
restored and the Major broke" the
news. Then the boys nearly shook my
hand loose. The message came through
while was up in the air.
while do not believe in Military
Decorations, except in very exceptional
cases. still cannot pretend that I am
not proud to have been considered
worthy of this. Personally. l do not
think deserve this honor, but there
you are Many poor devils have earned
it many times, Of these, some die be-
fore they get it and others earn it in
such a quiet way that it is never
brought to the attention Of the pow
ers that be-.
THE official reason given for the
award was something like this: For
skill and courage displayed on such
and such a date. when he brought his
observer and machine down safely on
our side of the lines when his control
wires had been shot away by the en-
envy over their lines and for general
good work.
Il shall have to go to England to re-
ceive the medal from the Kings hands.
Don't know when it will be, probably
not for months 1 hope. but in the
meantime l must wear the ribbon
which is sent to me. 1 believe 1 am the
first American to receive this decora-
ton.
What did you think Of the sea
battle? I believe the Huns came out
best all around but thew certainly "pot