Evening star., 1939-08-02
Early Birds Hold
Ceremonies Beneath
Army's First Plane
Pioneer Flyers Mark
Both Anniversary of
Military Aviotion

The 30th anniversary Of military
aviation in the United States was
observed here today at a ceremony
under auspices of the Early Birds,
an organization of pioneer flyers,
beneath the Army's first plane.
Many early flyers attended the
ceremonies in the Smithsonian In
stitution and heard tribute paid to
individuals who helped make avia-
ton history.
From the Smithsonian the group
went to Fort Myer, Va, to witness
an Army plane re-enact the original
acceptance flight made by Orville
Wright and the then youthful 1t.
Benjamin D. Foulois, who later be-
came chief Of the Army Air Corps
The original fight was made in 1909
in the Wright airplane which rests
in the museum
For the purpose Of re-enactment
today, an aviator few from Boiling
Field, dipped at Fort Myer and then
followed the path of the original
test flight to Shutters Hill, near Alex
andria
Mrs. Alys Mckay Bryant a mem
Der of the Early Birds and who
made her first solo flight in 1912,
was in charge of both ceremonies.
Wreath Presented.
At the Smithsonian Mrs. Bryant
recalled the famous acceptance
flight of the airplane and present
ed laurel wreath in behalf of the
Early Birds as tribute to the
pioneers of the United States Army
Air Corps and to the officers and
personnel of the Air Corps of to-
day"
Response to the wreath presenta-
ton was made by Col. Harrison H
C. Richards, chief of the Informa-
ton Division. Office of the Chief OF
Air Corps, who represented the lat
ter Office along with Maj E. E
Hildreth. Capt. Charles H. Deer
wester represented the command
ing officer of Boiling Field.
Among those on hand and who
were introduced by Mrs. Bryant
were Maj. Augustus Post. pioneer
flyer, who timed the famous &C
ceptance flight: E. Hodgson Smart
artist, who painted portrait of the
late Gen. George Owen Squier, pres
ident of the Army board which ac-
cepted the original plane, for which
he had given specifications. The
portrait rests beneath the famous
Wright airplane in the Smithsonian
building.
Others introduced included Mrs
Mary Squier Parker, sister of Gen
Squier; DR.. Alexander Wetmore, di-
rector of the National Museum
Paul E. CARRIER, assistant curator OF
engineering, in charge of aeronau-
tics, for the museum and a number
of Early Birds. including Thomas T
Hildebrandt, who flew glider over
Baltimore in 1909; Capt. Horace B
Wild, who flew the airship Eagle
over Chicago in 1905 and who, in
1910, flew an airplane over Chicago;
Col. Harold A. C. Hartney, Roland
Rohlfs. Frederick Fox, Edward H
Young and B. Russell Shaw.
Luncheon Is Held.
Pat j. Mahan, flying star of the
motion picture, "Hell's Angels" who
was to have attended flew to New
York early today in answer to a
radio appeal for a blood TRANSMISSION
for man stricken with an infection
Mr.. Mahan, who lives at 1907 Fair
mont street NV, was represented
at the ceremony by Mrs. Mahan.
Following the Smithsonian ano
Fort Myer ceremonies Mrs. Bryant
held luncheon for the Early Birds
officers of the Air Corps and other
friends of aviation at 1906 Massa-
chusetts avenue NV.
Boiling Field was being kept open
to visitors today in observance of the
anniversary.