Evening star., 1927-12-14
AIR CORPS HONORS
GEN. M. N. PATRICK
Retiring Chief Given Auto by
0fficers-NeW Leaders
Take Offices.

Army Air Corps flyers throughout
the world, in person and hy direct
representa- ton. last night observed the
passing into retirement of their chief,
Mai. Gen. Mason NJ. Patrick, with a
dinner at the Washington Barracks
in commemoration of his siXtN-fourth
birthday and by the presentation of
an expensive limousine AS token OF
their regard. Today they welcomed
To the leadership Of the corps Ma }.
Gen. James f. Fechet, the new chief,
who - wears ago was private in
the cavalry, and Brig. Gen. AMIN
y. FoulOis. who at one time consti-
tuted the entire Army Air Corps.
AS a gift from +. Trubee Dawson
Assistant Secretary Of War for Aero
nautics, the retiring general last nlght
received the Maj. Gen. M. Nj. Patrick
Trophy" to be competed for annually
in racing by planes of the Sd Attack
Group. the newest branch of offensive
military areonaut1cs.
Gen. Patrick's personal character
and service rendered to his country,
Mr.. Dawson said in announcing the
establishment Of the trophy, do not
require any material means or pres.
erVation." His devotion to duty ana
interest in the advancement OF the
Air Corps. Mr.. Dawson declared
have inspired the whole Nation
Gen. Patrick Touched.
Gen. Patrick, in response. said he
knew of nothing that could touch me
more deeply than this trophy, which
will be competed for annually by Air
Corps men, who will do and dare
whenever called into the air.
THE thing ! am going to carry
into retirement is the memory of the
associations ] have formed and the
friendships that have come to us
which will cheer us the rest of the
time we have to live"
Gen Fechet, the toastmaster, in
presenting the luxurious automobile.
declared Gen. Patrick took the helm
of the Air Corps when the going was
very bad, when we were very un-
happy branch of the service. with
no home i'm the family of national de.
fense. Now. through his labors. we
are the most efficient. best organized
and happiest corps in the Army"
Gen. Patrick then was escorted out
side the clubhouse and formally pre-
scented with the car, which carried a
silver plate on. the dashboard bearing
the inscription. ITO Mai. Gen. Mason
NJ Patrick. from the officers of the
Air Corps, December 13. 1927"
Mrs. Patrick shared in the honors
accorded her aviator husband and
also was the recipient of token of
esteem from the ladies of the Air
Corps"-a diamond-studded wrist
watch, presented by Mrs. Fechet.
New Generals Inducted.
Gems. Fechet and FouIois were in
Quoted formally into Office this morn
ing at 10 o'clock in the Office of Mr..
Dawson. In each case. the oath was
administered by Col. Joseph /. Nc
Mullen of the Judge Advocate Cen
erals Department, on duty at the War
Depa rtment.
Gen F'echet was born in Fort
Ringold Tex. August 81. 1877, and
after eniisting as a private at the out
break of the Spanish-American war,
he rose through the on-commissioned
grades to second lieutenant of Caval-
ry in 1900. He participated in the
Santiago campaign, was wounded at
san Juan and also was in numerous
skirmishes on the Island of Samar,
Philippines. His last duty with the
Cavalry was as member of the
punitive expedition into Mexico from
March to September. 1916
Gen. f'echet is qualified pilot He
was officially placed on flying status
on October 5, 1917. and was rated a
aviator from November 13
1918. During the World War Gen.
Fechet was in command of various
aviation fields and in 1920 came to
Washington AS chief Of the training
operations and war plans division of
the Air Corps. On July ], 1924. he was
detailed as commandant of the Air
Service Advance Flying School at
Kelly Field and was withdrawn from
that assignment on April 81 the fol.
lowing year, to come TO Washington
and succeed Brig. Gen William Nit.
chell. resigned