Evening star., 1932-04-17

single pilot nred at that humble hero
I'VE often flew as protective escorts
for day bombers. On such flights there
was always chance for a scrap I re-
member one party staged ON September
20, when my five-plane flight was pro-
tecting the right flank of a formation
of bomberS.
I'VE were approaching Zeebrugge, our
objective, at $1,000 feet when saw four
FokkerS on our right. Now orders were
to stick with the bombers and avoid
trouble unless we were attacked. But
we kept our eyes on the Germans, hop
ing they would take the initiative and
start row. They did-and when there
was no doubt as to their intentions our
fight headed for them. I went for the
leader, a stubborn lad, who would not
give way. We almost collided head on
pulled up, he noSed down, and that was
that.
Banking around, 1 found the four
Fokkers mixing it up with two of my
planes. AS I was streaking toward one of
them, however, all four decided to draw
OFF, We did not pursue them. The
bombers had completed their job and
were returning.
'One bomber had engine trouble and
was forced to lag behind the rest Two
of the Fokkers saw him, and, tagging him
as easy prey, pouneed upon him. One
was about 200 yards behind the bomber,
shooting it out with the rear gunner;
the other was slightly in front. For the
time being the fellow behind the bomber
was more menacing. squared my sights
on him, fired, and he went down
THE other chap was so busy shooting
at the bomber that he did not no
tice me until ! was less than 108 feet
away. He was a perfect target, but my
attack was a 10e per cent hop-I missed.
The pilot threw his ship into spin,
and as I watched him go down, I won
dered if he would crash. I didn't have
time to see, for right then spotted three
Fokkers climbing toward me and shoot
ing. I dove at them and fired a few
bursts, and as they dispersed I canght
up with the bomber, but all the way in
those three Fokkers kept yapping at my
heels like fox terriers, close enough to be
annoying when my back was turned, be-
yond range when swung around and
hurled some bullets after them"
ingalls, days as a combat pilot came
to an end on October 1, when, against
his proteStationS, he was transferred to
England where he was caught by the
armiStice."
Back in America again, David Ingalls,
returned to school. After completing his
studies at Yale and Harvard, he praeticed
law for two years, keeping his eyes peeled
for an opening that would take him into
politics The chance came in 1925 when
John Dempsey, one of his legal asso-
ciateS and member of the Ohio LegiS-
lature, decided not to run again. Ingalls,
went cunning for the job. He sought
and won organization support, was nomi-
mated and elected
Fighting Dave" went to the Capitol>
at Columbus to serve his first term in
January, 1927, and forgot entirely that
neophyteS in legislative bodies are eX-
pected to serve probationary periods be-
fore they speak their pieces An astute
strategist, he associated himself with
John Haddon, whip of the House, and
Earl Johnson, husky farmer and able
politician. This triumvirate virtually ran
the Assembly. He attended every ses-
SiOIl, IcdO every JILL, SpcCIdlIAcO Ii tdAd-
ton, became an expert on budgets, wrote
Ohio's first air law, made few speeches
and many friends
He was headed toward high legislative
responsibilities during his second term,
when he changed his course and set out
for Washington.
The announcement of ingalls, appoint
ment created stir in Navy circles.
Word went about that the new Assistant
Secretary had barely turned 80, and
there was no end of speculation as to