The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-12-17
TEN AVIATORS
OF EXPERIENCE
ON SOUTH TOUR
Army Commanders Pick Men
For Flight Who Are Com
pctent Aerial Engineers

san Antonio. Dec. l7.--tP) Ten
men who have taken a leading part
IN developing the army air service,
by doing the days work every day
and leaving spectacular accomplish
ments to others. will pilot the five
amph ibian planes that leave here De
ccmbcr 20 for a tour Of South Amer
lea, Central America and the West
lnaics
When air service headquarters ask
cd commanders OF various flying
units over the country TO recommend
men to make the. flight the request
specified that those men recommend
cd should be master flyers who de-
served the honor. The idea was to
obtain men who had sacrificed III"
glamour and fame Of spectacular
flights to give all Of their time to
the less noticeable, but equally i'm
pnrtant phases Of conqucring the AR.
Competent Engineers
All Of the flyers are competent
aerial engineers and all have had
long experience in the army. Major
Herbert A. Darguc is the Oldest Of
the group, which ranges between 30
and 40 years in age. Major Darguc
is the veteran of many responsible
undertakings. He was star fcnccr
at West Point, later the only air
service officer in the Philippines, the
first flicr to receive a wireless mes
sage aloft. and finally in charge Of
all army flying instructions in the
United States. This appointment
came just as the armistice was sign
ed. He will pilot the "New York,
flagship OF the expedition. with
Lieutenant Ennis G. Whitehead as re-
lief pilot. Lieutenant Whitehead
born in Kansas and graduated from
. the University Of Kansas, has had
extensive engineering training and
signal corps work.
aptaln A. B. Mcdaniel, who as
second in command will fly the San
Antonio" just 10 the right and be.
hind the New York, was born and
educated in Texas and has done most
of his flying here. For two years ht
was in change Of all flying instruc-
ton at Kelly field. He was original
~ in the infantry but was transfer
red to the Air Service and started tt
study aviation while in the army OF
occupation. He will fly with Lieu
tenant c. NJ X Robinson, Il graduate
of Ohio State university and i'm ath
lctc while in college.
Captain Ira G. Baker third rank
ing officer Of the flight will take hi
place in the V formation just benin,
and to the left of Major Dargue'
New York" Captain Baker, nativ
Texan, was assigned to the Sal
Francisco" partly because he ha
spent great deal of time in the ives
at Rockwell Field He is an all roun
flicr and has had considerable exc
cutive experience at various postS
His companion, Lieutenant Muir
Fairchld, was educated in Washing
ton State university and learned t
fly with tho italian army.
Maintenance Officer
"The Detroit which will be tn
last plane on the right leg of the
will be in command Of CAPTAIN Cir
ton 4. Woolscy. native Of Michigan
II recognition Of Captain Woolsey
technical knowledge he has bee
made maintenance officer and wi
have charge Of adjusting and tunin
the planes. He flys with Lieutcna.
John W. Benton, IA Californian and
graduate of the University of Cal
fornia. Lieutenant Benton. as di
most of the Pan American crew, ros
from private. He has had exp
riencc in practically every field
this country and is considered
crack all-round airman.
Lieutenant Bernard S. Thompso
IA native Of Florida, will pilot Il
last ship on the left leg of the
the St. Louis. He is graduate
the air service communicated
school. His companion, Licutena
Leonard D. Wellington. is the thi
native Texan to make the fight. !
will act as Photographic expert
tho cruise, having graduated fro
the air service photography scho'
Most of the filters are married al
have families.