Read more
The 95th Aero Squadron was the first American pursuit squadron to fly over the front in March 1918 and 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs was one of its original members. The history of the Squadron is told through the words of those who served, Heinrichs' richly written diary forms the nucleus of the story supported by contemporary letters, anecdotes, and combat reports from many of the other flyers. Entries from the official Squadron history as contained in the History of the American Air Services A.E.F. (the Gorrell History) round out the narrative. Over 280 photos, most unpublished from the personal albums of the participants, show planes, places and personnel which surrounded this happy band of warriors.
About the author
The author served four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and has been an active military collector and historian since a boy. He was a past editor of the Cross and Cockade Journal of World War I Aero Historians, is the Curator of the Vermont Veterans and Militia Museum, and serves on the Committee of Management of the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University. He is a member of the Company of Military Historians, the League of World War I Aviation Historiansm and many other arms and militaria collecting groups. In his retirement, he continues active collecting and, with the assistance of his wife Nancy, writes books on military matters. On the non-military side, he restores and drives antique cars and enjoys classic boats on the coast of Maine.
Summary
The 95th Aero Squadron was the first American pursuit squadron to fly over the front in March 1918 and 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs was one of its original members. The history of the Squadron is told through the words of those who served, Heinrichs' richly written diary forms the nucleus of the story supported by contemporary letters, anecdotes, and combat reports from many of the other flyers. Entries from the official Squadron history as contained in the History of the American Air Services A.E.F. (the Gorrell History) round out the narrative. Over 280 photos, most unpublished from the personal albums of the participants, show planes, places and personnel which surrounded this happy band of warriors.
