2 Jan 1918

27th - Major Harold E. Hartney, assigned as Commanding officer

183rd - Major Geoffrey H. Bonnell, assigned as Commanding Officer

9 Jan 1918

17th Aero Squadron entrained at Garden City, New York, for New York City, and immediately upon arrival at New York embarked on SS Carmania, one of a convoy of 14 ships.

11 Jan 1918

27th - Ordered to proceed to New York City 14 January per Special Orders #9, Kelly Field.

13 Jan 1918

All cadets who were serving with 27th and 147th Aero Squadron were commissioned as officers and assigned to the units with which they were serving.

16 Jan 1918

Major B. M. Atkinson, Captain Philip J. Roosevelt, Captain John C. Rankin, Six Sergeants First Class and one civilian employee were assigned to 1st Pursuit Organization Center, and departed Paris 8:30 AM in 14udson Touring Car and 3 Fiat Trucks for Villeneuve-Les-Vertus, France, arriving late in day. This was the forerunner of the present First Pursuit Group.

27th - Departed Hicks, Texas, by rail, for Garden City, New York.

24 Jan 1918

94th - Squadron entrained at Paris, France for Issoudun, France, arriving late in day and immediately marched to 3rd Aviation Instruction Center.

24 Jan 1918

17th - Arrived Liverpool, England, after an uneventful voyage. Many rumors had been rife as to what assignment was to be made of the squadron but no definite information had been received. The squadron after landing immediately entrained for Romsey Rest Camp, arriving late in day,

28 Jan 1918

360th Aero Squadron organized at Kelly Field #2, under command of 1st Lieut. Louis B. Montfort, under authority Special Orders #17, Kelly Field. Original personnel obtained by transfer from 288th Aero Squadron.

95th - Major Raoul Lufbery assigned and assumed command.

27th - Arrived Garden City, New York and placed in quarantine for scarlet fever. Two officers and sixty enlisted men were eventually to be transferred out of the squadron as a result of this epidemic.

31 Jan 1918

185th - Sailed from New York City, New York, for Liverpool, England, aboard Adriatic.

1 Feb 1918

48th Aero Squadron redesignated 435th Aero Construction Squadron.

103rd - Relieved from construction work at 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, Issoudun, France, and commenced training to obtain specific instruction on French airplanes.

2 Feb 1918

Construction of barracks, hangars, shops, etc. to house the First Pursuit Group was started at VilleneuveLes-Vertus, France, by French and Italian Labor Squadrons, supervised by Organi2ation Center Officers. It was reported that upon organi2ation the First Pursuit Group was to be equipped with 36 type XXVIT Nieuport airplanes.

3 Feb 1918

27th - Scarlet fever quarantine removed and squadron immediately ordered aboard ship,

9 Feb 1918

17th - Squadron sailed from Southampton, England, for Havre, France, aboard channel boat with shipment of mules and equipment destined for use by a Jewish Regiment on its way to Palestine.

10 Feb 1918

17th - Arrived Havre, France and immediately split into detachments. Headquarters Flight was ordered to the 2 7th Squadron R. A. F. at Martigny; " A" Flight was attached to the 84th Squadron, R. A. F. at Quizancourt, France; "B" Flight ordered to 60th Squadron, R. A. F. at St. Marie Cappell on the Flanders front and "C" Flight ordered to 56th Squadron, R. A. F. at Baizieux, France.

95th - Major Raoul Lufbery relieved from command and transferred to Headquarters First Pursuit Organization Center, Captain James E. Miller assumed command.

12 Feb 1918

Brigadier General Foulois signed agreement with French Republic whereby the French Republic was to supply the 103rd Aero Squadron with type VII Spads and necessary equipment for active service.

13 Feb 1918

103rd - Orders received from commanding General, L. 0. G. to proceed to LaNoblette. France, for assignment to command and active duty.

15 Feb 1918

147th - Squadron, consisting of 4 officers and 162 enlisted men, entrained at Fort Worth, Texas, for Garden City, New York.

16 Feb 1918

95th - Squadron entrained at Issoudun, France, for the front, on cars which were entirely without windows, and which had not been cleaned since the previous trips with loads of horses and mules. The day was very cold and raw and the officers and men built fires on the floors of the cars to warm themselves and incidentally to dispose of the litter.

103rd - Departed Issoudun, France, under command of 1st Lieut. Phocien Parks, 7:00 AM, by train.

17 Feb 1918

95th - The Squadron reached Chalons, France, and was ushered into the war by undergoing a German air raid the first night. The squadron equipment was damaged by bomb splinters but none of the squadron personnel were injured.

18 Feb 1918

103rd - The squadron, consisting of 103 enlisted men, under command of 1st Lieut. Phocien Parks, arrived LaNoblette, France, at midnight, and all the officer and pilot personnel of the l24th Squadron, French, (Lafayette Escadrille) was merged with the squadron, and Major William Thaw assumed command. By this action the squadron assumed the history and tradition of the "Escadrille LaFayette" and continued to be known as that. The unit was immediately assigned the 2lst Combat Group, 4th French Army.

19 Feb 1918

147th - Arrived Garden City, New York, and assigned to Air Service Concentration Depot, where squadron was immediately placed under quarantine for scarlet fever.

23 Feb 1918

95th - 1st Lieut. N. M. Foster, Med. Corps, relieved.

25 Feb 1918

360th - 1st Lieut. W. M. Townley, assigned to and assumed command of the squadron, relieving 1st Lieut. Louis B. Montfort who was transferred.

26 Feb 1918

27th - Embarked from New York City, New York, on troopship "527" after having lived aboard ship since February 9th awaiting assembly of convoy,

1 Mar 1918

147th - Squadron relieved from quarantine and entertained by ladies clubs in New York City. Every imaginable sort of clothing was given to enlisted men, from hand-knitted socks which would have fitted baby elephants to sweaters just large enough to accommodate a new-born babe. Major Bonnell, the Commanding Officer, received a sports bag, the contents of which always remained a mystery, and many boxes of huge black cigars, which he eventually consumed late in the war. Captain C. A. Cobb, Med. Corps, relieved, and 1st Lieut. G. A. Rice, Med. Corps assigned as surgeon. 1st Lieut. D. W. Cassard assigned.

360th - Squadron filled to authorized strength at Kelly Field, Texas, and prepared to move abroad. 2nd Lieuts. Orner O. Niergarth and James Galligan relieved, and 1st Lieut. James M. Wellborn, Med. Corps, assigned as surgeon.

2 Mar 1918

360th - Assigned to 2nd Training Brigade at Kelly Field No. 1

3 Mar 1918

435th - Redesignated 462nd Aero Construction Squadron and ordered to active service as Army Troops, 1st American Army, A. E. F.

5 Mar 1918

27th - Arrived Liverpool, England, and immediately marched to Winchester Downs, where it went into camp.

94th - Squadron arrived Villeneuve- Les -Vertus and reported to Major Atkinson. Major John W. Huffer assigned to and assumed command relieving Captain Henry L. Lyster.

95th - First consignment of Nieuport XXVII's received.

147th - Entrained at Garden City, New York, 10:00 AM and embarked on SS Cedric'at Hoboken, New Jersey, 3:00 PM

6 Mar 1918

94th - Major Raoul Lufbery, 1st Lieutenant Douglas Campbell and Edward V. Rickenbacker took-off at Villeneuve-les-Vertus 8:15 AM in 3 type XXVII Nieuports. This constituted the first all-American flight over the lines by an American trained squadron.

147th - Squadron sailed from New York Harbor.

360th - Departed Kelly Field, Texas, b-y rail, for New York City, New York.

7 Mar 1918

94th - 1st Lieutenant Edward V. Rickenbacker, James A. Meissner, Edgar C. Tobin, M. Edwin Greene, Hobart Baker, and Joseph H. Eastman, assigned.

147th - Squadron arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Sir Walter Lawrence boarded the Cedric and messed with officers of the 147th Squadron for the remainder of the journey, giving lectures on the war and explaining the ideals for which the allies were struggling.

8 Mar 1918

27th - Squadron marched from Winchester Downs to Winnall Downs Rest Camp.

95th - First patrol by squadron, over lines. The type XXVIT, Nieuports which were assigned the Squadron were totally devoid of guns and necessary equipment. Captain Miller the Squadron Commander had trouble with his Nieuport and landed at Coincy, leaving the airplane and returning by motor lorry.

The lst Pursuit Group Organization Center started actual training of squadrons which were to comprise the 1st Pursuit Group. Major Raoul Lufbery of the 94th Squadron, a combat pilot of distinction, Captain James E. Miller, Commanding the 95th Squadron, Major John Huffer, commanding the 94th Squadron, were the principal flight instructors and were constantly in the air leading formations and endeavoring to discipline new pilots. That is, pilots new to the requirements of the war, in the functions of combat observation and training.

10 Mar 1918

95th - Captain James E. Miller went to Coincy and obtained the Nieuport left there on the 8th and flew it to Coligny where it was turned in for a Spad. He then joined a patrol with Major Davenport Johnson and Major Harmon over the Rheims sector. They were attacked by two German planes inside the German lines. Major Davenport Johnson last saw Captain Miller in a "Vrille" inside the German lines. This was the first casualty to be suffered at the Organization Center and the first battle casualty of the organizations which were to comprise the First Pursuit Group. Captain Seth Low assumed command of the squadron.

11 Mar 1918

103rd - While on voluntary patrol Lieutenant Paul F. Baer, single-handed attacked a patrol of seven enemy planes which had cut him off from his side of the lines, and destroyed one which fell near the French lines northeast of Rheims, France. This was the first victory over enemy an aircraft scored by any American squadron.

360th - Arrived Garden City, New York and immediately place in quarantine for Scarlet fever

12 Mar 1918

103rd - Captain Phelps Collins killed in action near Rheims, France.

27th - Squadron proceeded from Winnall Downs Rest Camp to Romsey Rest Camp.

14 Mar 1918

Comparative tests 'were made between Spads and Nieuports to determine their suitability for use by 1st Pursuit Group in an effort to maintain barrage patrols along the Marne against enemy low flying aircraft.

15 Mar 1918

95th - Three unarmed Nieuports made patrols of lines behind Marne during afternoon. Major Davenport Johnson assigned and assumed command relieving Captain Seth Low.

16 Mar 1918

103rd - While on voluntary patrol in the vicinity of Nogent-L'Abbesse, France, First Lieutenant Paul F. Baer attacked two enemy two-seaters and shot one down in flames.

17 Mar 1918

27th - Embarked at Southampton, England for LeHavre, France.

147th - The Cedric ran aground off the Isle of Man during the morning hours while enveloped in fog but was pulled off the bar late in the afternoon by tugs

18 Mar 1918

27th - Arrived LeHavre, France, in PM, and immediately entrained for Issoudun, France.

94th - First contingent of 16 type XXVII Nieuports powered ,with 160 Horsepower Monosaupape engines was received by squadron,

147th - Arrived Liverpool, England and cleared ship at 11:00 AM, entrained for American Rest Camp, Romsey, England, 11:00 PM.

19 Mar 1918

94th - Major Lufbery, First Lieutenants Edward V. Rickenbacker and Douglas Campbell made first flight by 94th Squadron over lines north of Marne and over Rhine,

20 Mar 1918

27th - Squadron arrived Tours, France.

94th - Major Lufbery, Lieutenant Wentworth and Thorne Taylor made patrol over the lines. The Squadron insignia, Hat-in-the-Ring, suggested by Captain Paul M. Walters, Med. Corps Surgeon, was adopted, and Lieutenant Wentworth was assigned the task of drawing the proposed insignia. The squadron was previously using the 103rd's emblem.

21 Mar 1918

The Great German Drive in the North began. All reserves were rushed to the North where the British and French were retreating in the face of the German Advance. The Group Monard with which the First Pursuit Organization Center shared the field, was moved to the Amiens Montdidier Region.

17th - Headquarters Flight remained behind when the 24th Squadron, R. A. F. vacated the airdrome at Moreuil, and only a few hours before the Germans reached it. The flight burned the buildings and such supplies as it was necessary to abandon, Before the task was completed the flight was under machine gun fire from the advance elements of the advancing troops. The flight then proceeded to Bertangles ,with the transport of the 24th Squadron. "A" Flight per formed a similar task for the 84th Squadron, R. A. F. at Qui2ancourt and proceeded to Roye to rejoin the84th Squadron. "B" Flight burned the buildings and supplies abandoned by the 60th Squadron, R. A. F., at St. Marie Cappelle and rejoined the squadron at Belluvue.

94th - Six additional Nieuports of various types were assigned to the squadron to bring the strength up to 22 airplanes.

147th - Embarked from Southampton for LeHavre. Lieut. Rice, Med. Corps, was replaced by 1st Lieut. W. W. Arnold, Med. Corps, as surgeon prior to departure. The ship sailed at 4:00 PM and shortly after getting out into the channel was stopped by fog. Anchor was dropped and the squadron remained in the English Channel all night.

22 Mar 1918

147th - The Squadron remained aboard ship in the English Channel until midnight waiting for the fog to lift. The ship proceeded about midnight but in the early morning hours progress was again halted due to heavy fog.

360th - Relieved from quarantine and engaged in drill and compiling organi2ational equipment prior to overseas duty

23 Mar 1918

27th - Moved from Quartier-de-Beaumont, Tours, to Issoudun.

147th - Arrived LeHavre, France, 6:00 PM and hiked about 4 miles in darkness until camp was made at about 11:00 PM. During the march the squadron observed flights of home defense airplanes patrolling above the coast.

24 Mar 1918

17th - "A" Flight retreated from Roye to Vert-Galland Farm in the face of the advance elements of the German attack.

95th - Squadron ordered to Aerial Gunnery Camp at Caseaux, France, to complete aerial gunnery instruction. The squadron had not completed training in the United States, and officers assigned overseas, while supposedly trained under the British and French had not been given gunnery practice.

147th - Entrained at LeHavre, France, 4:30 PM and arrived Tours, France, 8:00 PM, where the squadron immediately marched to the Aviation Instruction Center at Issoudun. Equipment of the enlisted men had been lost at Romsey and efforts to locate it had failed, It became necessary to complete the equipment of the organi2ation from salvaged supplies left by other organi2ations.

26 Mar 1918

17th - 'IC" Flight destroyed airdrome installations at Bai2ieux to prevent their failing into the hands of the enemy when the 60th Squadron, R. A. F. was forced to retreat from original airdrome to new airdrome at Vaheureaux Farm.

103rd - A patrol of three planes led by Major William Thaw while in the vicinity of Rheims, France, -was attacked by five enemy scouts and three two-seaters. In the ensuing. engagement the patrol destroyed I plane, , drove 2 down out of control and dispersed the remainder

27 Mar 1918

103rd - Major Thaw, Captain James Norman Hall and 1st Lieutenant Christopher Ford were attacked by an enemy patrol of five planes near Rheims, France, and in the following combat, Captain Hall destroyed one plane and after the patrol was dispersed followed an enemy single seater and destroyed it. Lieutenant Ford destroyed a single seater in the combat.

28 Mar 1918

17th - " B" Flight remained when the 60th Squadron, R. A. F. vacated the airdrome at Belluvue to destroy the installations and rejoined the squadron at Fienvillers.

29 Mar 1918

17th - "A" Flight destroyed abandoned supplies at VertGaland Farm when the 84th Squadron, R. A. F. retreated to Maison-Pontheiu.

27th - Squadron commenced active training at Issoudun.

31 Mar 1918

94th - Squadron enlisted personnel departed for Epiez, by truck, but immediately after personnel departed, fire broke out and completely destroyed one of the hangars and several machines. Several other machines parked in the open prior to take-off were seriously damaged by the fire.

95th - Squadron enlisted personnel departed from Caseaux for Epiez by truck and joined the headquarters detachment of the 1st Pursuit Organi2ation Center.

1 Apr 1918

17th - Headquarters flight detached from 24th Squadron, R. A. F. and placed under control of the 22nd Wing, Royal Air Force, as an Independent Salvage Section.

94th - Pilots and machines of the 94th Squadron arrived at Epiez. This airdrome was situated on a hill in the rainy and foggy valley of the Meuse and flying was almost impossible. Captain James Norman Hall of the 103rd Aero Squadron cracked-up a Neiuport while attempting a landing on the airdrome shortly after the squadron arrived.

147th - Actual flying training commenced at Tours-and 98 enlisted men detailed to duty in the hangars. The remaining enlisted men were detailed to various aircraft plants to obtain instruction on the equipment with which the unit was to be provided

4 Apr 1918

94th - First flights over lines made from station at Epiez.

5 Apr 1918

17th - "All Flight moved with 84th Squadron, R. A. F. from Vert-Gailand Farm to Bertangles when unit moved up after lines were straightened.

6 Apr 1918

103rd - lst Lieut. Paul F. Baer destroyed enemy plane in combat over Somme-Py.

7 Apr 1918

94th - Squadron ordered to Toul and departed from Epiez same day. On arrival at Toul the squadron passed from the control of the 1st Pursuit Organization Center and placed under VIII French Army to act as Independent Air Unit. Captains David McK Paterson and Kenneth Marr transferred from 95th Squadron as Flight Commander.

8 Apr 1918

94th - Squadron commenced active patrols and alerts over the lines from St. Mihiel to Pont-A-Mousson. Major Lufbery, Captains Marr and Peterson acting as Flight leaders. Captain James Norman Hall transferred from 95th Aero Squadron for duty as Flight Commander.

10 Apr 1918

27th Corporal Kruger was placed in arrest on suspicion of being a German agent after he had been seen talking to a German prisoner several times during the past few days. On investigation it was decided that he had obtained no information of value from the prisoner and had not passed information to the prisoner.

94th - First appearance of the Hat-In-The -Ring insignia, which was suggested by Captain Paul H. Walters, Medical Corps, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the design of which was drawn by 1st Lieutenant John Wentworth.

103rd - Relieved from assignment to Combat Group, 21 IV French Army and moved by truck train to Bonn-Maison, near Fismes, France, and assigned the VI French Army. The planes and pilots flew to Bonn-Maison late in the afternoon.

12 Apr 1918

17th - "B" Flight destroyed installations at the airdrome near Rougefay when 60th Squadron, R. A. F. retreated in face of German advance.

27th - Squadron declared a field day and participated in athletic events, baseball, and held a banquet in the evening with such necessary items for the banquet table as could be procured in the area. During the morning the mess sergeant had announced that he would have a surprise in the evening and he did. Three suckling pigs in all the finery necessary to properly set them off were set on the table. On questions as to where he obtained the pigs the mess sergeant held his own counsel and appeared sly.

94th - Major Lufbery destroyed an enemy single-seater near Epiez but the victory was never officially confirmed.

103rd - Captain Charles John Biddle destroyed enemy single-seater near Bamburg and 1st Lieutenant Paul F. Baer destroyed enemy bi-place near Poaart.

14 Apr 1918

94th - While on alert at about 8:00 AM, word was received that two enemy planes were over Tours. The clouds were very low and the day was quite disagreeable, a light mist and occasional- rain prevailing, Shut Lieutenants Douglas Campbell and Alan F. Winslow immediately jumped in their airplanes and took-off. A few minutes later the two pilots were attacked by the two German machines. Lieutenant Campbell shot the Pfalz single-seater down in flames and it fell on the airdrome. A few seconds later Lieutenant Winslow drove the albatross down out of control and it fell in the vicinity of the airdrome. These were the first two victories scored by an all-American, American Squadron, and the coincidence is unique in the annals of aviation. The following telegram was received from the Chief of Air Service, A. E. F. Paris, France:

"THE CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE THANKS THE 94TH SQUADRON

FOR THE TWO GERMAN ALBATROSS PLANES AND PILOTS BROUGHT DOWN WITHIN OUR LINES AND CONGRATULATES LIEUTENANT DOUGLAS CAMPBELL AND LIEUTENANT ALAN WINSLOW ON THEIR EXCELLENT WORK AND THEIR GALLANT CONDUCT"

Signed WHITEHEAD.

The following commendation was received from the Colonel commanding the Troops of the District of Toul

TOUL, April 14, 1918.

THE COLONEL COMMANDING THE TROOPS

FROM: Colonel Corbiere, Commanding the Troops of the Place De Toul.

TO: Major Huffer, Commanding the American Squadron, 94.

My dear Comrade:

In my capacity as the Commandant of the Troops of Toul, I wish to send you, both in my name, and in the name of the troops of the Town, my most sincere compliments for our splendid success of to day. It was because of its immediate readiness, its initiative, its organi2ation and the rapidity with which the pilots took the air, that the escadrille under your orders has obtained the brilliant result. Two German Avions brought down after one minute of combat. The garrison and the population of the town of Toul are happy in the victory for American Aviation, and in it they foresee yet more glorious successes in the future. I would be very glad if you would express to the personnel of the squadron under your orders the sentiments of admiration toward them, of the population of the town and of the troops, and if you would convey to them my own sincere good wishes. CORBIERE

15 Apr 1918

94th - Brigadier General Liggett, Commanding 1st Army, A. E. F. and Colonel William Mitchell, Chief of Air Service, 1st -Army, A. E. F. , visited the squadron to observe its work.

18 Apr 1918

94th - Second Lieutenant A. L. Cunningham transferred to Organi2ation Center Headquarters as Operations Officer.

20 Apr 1918

27th - Squadron departed Epiez by truck. A detachment of 15 enlisted men going to Paris to obtain 15 trucks and drive same to Epiez on May 6th, 1st Lieutenant James C. Marquardt killed in crash of Nieuport on take-off at Issoudun for Epiez, Captain Enga M. Arnold, Medical Corps, 1st Lieutenant Robert S. Houston, John C. Kennedy, Philip E. West and 2nd Lieutenant Mahlin P. Bryan transferred to 1st Air Depot.

94th - Three type XXVIII Nieuports received from Depot as Replacements.

103rd - While on patrol Major Thaw and 1st Lieutenant George E. Thurnure destroyed an enemy balloon near Montaigu. While returning from this mission Major Thaw attacked two enemy single-seater scouts one of which he shot down in flames near Montaigu.

147th - Squadron departed by truck train from Tours for new station at Epiez

21 Apr 1918

Baron Manfred Von Richtofen, leading German ace and Commander of the famed "Richtofen Circus" was killed in combat near Vaux-Sur-Somme by Captain Roy A. Brown, 209th Squadron, R. A. F. 10:45 AM.

22 Apr 1918

Baron Von Richtofen, German Air Force, buried at Bertangles, France, with full military honors. All flights of the 17th Aero Squadron, U.S.A. contributed toward the floral tributes sent by the organizations to which they were attached, and one officer from each flight accompanied the personnel of the squadron to which attached to the burial services.

27th - Squadron under command of lst Lieutenant Julian B. Dupuy reported to the First Pursuit Organization Center at Epiez.

95th - The 16 officers of the squadron who had been undergoing final aerial gunnery training at Caseaux rejoined the squadron at Epiez to bring the unit to full strength

147th - Squadron under command of 2nd Lieutenant S. N. Purcell reported to the First Pursuit Organization Center at Epiez.

23 Apr 1918

94th - Major Lufbery had combat with bi-place but his guns jammed after he fired about five rounds and he was forced to withdraw from the combat.

103rd - 1st Lieutenant Paul F. Baer and C. H. Wilcox destroyed an enemy monoplane near St. Gebain

26 Apr 1918

94th - Lieutenants Douglas Campbell and Alan F. Winslow decorated with the Croix-de-Guerre, by General Gerard, Commanding VI French Army, for action of 14 April.

27 Apr 1918

27th – 1st Lieutenant Clayton C. Ingersoll killed in crash of type XXVII Nieuport at Aviation Training Center, Issoudun, France, 3:05 PM.

28 Apr 1918

27th - lst Lieutenant Clayton C. Ingersoll buried by 138th Aero Squadron at Issoudun. Squadron engaged in liberty party to Neufchateau.

360th - Orders received for overseas service. Squadron engaged in intensive training preparatory to move.

29 Apr 1918

94th - Captain James Norman Hall and 1st Lieutenant Edward Rickenbacker destroyed a Pfalz in flames near Vigneulles-les-Hatton Chatel.

30 Apr 1918

103rd - Squadron moved by truck train from Bonn-Maison to Fismes, France, and entrained at Fismes for Leffrincheucke, near Dunquerque, Belgium. Relieved from VI French Army per orders 23791. Airplanes and pilots flew to Dunquerque, Belgium where they remained awaiting the enlisted personnel.

1 May 1918

94th - Major Lufbery turned over on flying field when engine failed in Nieuport on take-off.

360th - Moved from Mitchel Field, New York, to tent camp at Aviation Concentration Camp No. 2, Garden City, New York.

2 May 1918

94th - Lieutenants Meissner, Winslow and Davis attacked a formation of three enemy bi-place machines north of Pont-A-Mousson. After a short fight Lieutenant Meissner brought one machine down in flames near the Foret de la Rappe. The fabric of the leading edge and on the lower ,wings was torn loose during the combat and he was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire from German batteries but by skillful operation and cool determination he managed to coax the crippled airplane across the American lines.

103rd - Squadron arrived at Dunquerque and proceeded to Leffrenckeucke via Bay Dunnes, Flanders, where it was assigned to Detachment of the Army of the North and Northeast (DAN).

3 May 1918

94th - While leading a patrol of three airplanes over the lines near Luneville, Captain David McK Peterson and Lieutenant Charles Chapman, Jr. , engaged an enemy patrol of five scouts. Lieutenant Loomis the other member of the patrol was forced to withdraw from the engagement after his guns jammed but he stayed overhead bluffing enemy aircraft from entering the melee. Lieutenant Chapman shot down a monoplane out of control (unconfirmed) and was in turn shot down in flames by a bi-plane. Captain Peterson shot down a monoplane and the enemy patrol was dispersed. During a later patrol Captain Hall and Lieutenant Winslow engaged in indecisive combats with an enemy patrol, While attempting a take-off on a voluntary patrol later in the afternoon Lieutenant Winslow crashed and washed out the landing gear on his airplane when engine trouble developed.

183rd - Departed Hoboken, New Jersey, aboard S. S. Demosthenes.

4 May 1918

95th - Moved from Epiez, France to Gengault, France. The enlisted personnel proceeding by truck and the airplanes and pilots following by air later in the afternoon.

5 May 1918

GROUP - Headquarters 1st Pursuit Organization Center redesignated 1st Pursuit Group Headquarters and the 94th and 95th Aero Squadron assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group which was organized at Gengoult, France, under command of Major B. M. Atkinson,

94th - Recalled frorn VIIIth French Army and assigned 1st Pursuit Group . Moved to airdrome at Gengoult, - France, and occupied sheds, tents and shacks until completion of barracks.

6 May 1918

94th - Captain James Norman Hall, 1st Lieutenant Edward V. Rickenbacker and Eddie Green while on voluntary patrol sighted a flight of three enemy scouts near Preny. The flight attacked the German patrol and Lieutenant Rickenbacker destroyed a Fokker monoplane which was not confirmed until November 16, 1918. Lieutenant Green also destroyed a Pfalz which was unconfirmed. Captain Hall while following a Fokker in a dive lost the fabric- on his wings and his plane was hit by a dud anti-aircraft shell and felt into a spin. On making a crash landing in German territory he suffered a broken ankle and was taken prisoner. During a patrol later in the day Major Raoul Lufbery destroyed an enemy scout which was unconfirmed, and in landing from patrol Lieutenant James Meissner turned over on the flying field when his airplane dropped in a hole.

103rd - The squadron was authorized by the Chief of Air Corps to carry the American Indian I-lead as a distinctive insignia for distinguished services rendered while with the IVth and VIth French Armies.

7 May 1918

147th - The squadron suffered its first overseas casualty when Private Henry G. Black was struck by lightning during a severe thunder storm and was instantly killed

8 May 1918

103rd - 1st Lieutenant Paul F. Baer destroyed two enemy airplanes near Mt. Kemmell in a combat lasting about ten minutes.

9 May 1918

27th - The Squadron Commander requested that bunks be made for three officers of the squadron who had been sleeping on the dirt floors for the past three nights.

94th - Two Type XXVIII Nieuports received by the squadron. On landing from early patrol in the morning, Captain Kenneth Marr and 1st Lieutenant Thorne C. Taylor approached the field and landed from opposite directions. While still moving on the ground at a high speed the planes engaged wings and the ships spun around and around. In the confusion both pilots had apparently opened their throttles and the machine guns in Captain Marr's plane opened fire, An explosion of ammunition in the carrying cases in Captain Marr's airplane set fire to the plane and it was completely demolished.

10 May 1918

147th - First type XXVIII Nieuport airplanes received at the squadron. On landing after being ferried from Langley, one of the airplanes was completely demolished when the undercarriage sank in the mud of one of the various holes on the flying field.

11 May 1918

27th - The Squadron Commander again requested that bunks be made for the three officers who have now been sleeping in blankets on the dirt floor for the past five nights.

94th - 1st Lieutenant Walter W. Smythe and Willard D. Hill assigned. Lieutenant Rickenbacker engaged Fokker in indecisive combat near Thiaucourt.

12 May 1918

27th - The Squadron was thoroughly shaken down in an effort to locate a fur flying suit, one of the few then in service, which disappeared from Issoudun about the same time that the squadron left. It was not found. The squadron baseball team took on the team from the 147th squadron with the understanding that the losers were to put on a barbecue. The feed was on the 147th Squadron and was enjoyed by both outfits.

95th - 1st Lieutenant Roy S. Ripley relieved and transferred to Issoudun. 147th - One additional Nieuport Type XXVII assigned

147th - One additional Nieuport Type XXVII assigned. First Lieutenant James A. Healy slightly injured in crash of Nieuport type XXVIII on landing from patrol, but airplane was completely demolished.

13 May 1918

147th - Four Nieuport type XXVIII's assigned to squadron.

94th - While on voluntary patrol Lieutenant Campbell attacked two enemy single- seaters at 2, 500 meters over Lironville. He shot one down, which was unconfirmed, and chased the other one far inside the German lines before breaking off the combat.

15 May 1918

94th - First Lieutenant George W. Zacariahas, Alden B. Sherry and John N. Jeffers assigned, While on voluntary patrol in the early morning, Captain David McK Peterson waited over the enemy airdrome at Thiaucourt at a high altitude until he observed two German bi-place Rumplers take-off and climb for our lines. He immediately dove and attacked one at a very low altitude sending it down in flames. The other rumpler which was above and behind him then opened fire on him and on turning and firing a short burst at it, it immediately exploded. While on voluntary patrol Lieutenant Thorne C. Taylor attacked a balloon north of Flirey but failed to destroy it. He was then attacked by a flight of three bi-place north of Villiers but succeeded in getting away from them and reaching the airdrome. Captain Marr on patrol attacked a bi-place near Thiaucourt but with no result. General Gerard, Commanding the VIIlth French Army, General I-Iunter Liggett, Commanding 1st Army Corps, A. E. F., Major General Edwards, Commanding the Z6th Division, and Colonel William Mitchell, Chief of Air Service 1st Army, visited the squadron for the purpose of decorating Captain David McK Peterson, Captain James Norman Hall (Missing)lst Lieutenant Edward V. Rickenbacker, 1st Lieutenant James A. Meissner, and 2nd Lieutenant Charles W. Chapman (Killed in action) with the CroixDe-Guerre. The decorations were awarded at 1:00 PM in the presence of two companies of French Infantry, Z companies of the Z6th Division, and the French Regimental Band and the Divisional Band. Immediately after the ceremony, a flight of six planes led by Colonel William Mitchell, Major Lufbery, Captains Peterson and Marr, and Lieutenants Rickenbacker and Meissner performed for about 20 minutes.

183rd - Arrived LeHavre, France, 1:00 PM and marched to American Rest Camp.

95th - Captain David McK Peterson transferred from 94th Squadron and assumed command, relieving Major Davenport Johnson, who was transferred to Paris, France for duty with the Chief of Air Service, A. E. F.

16 May 1918

94th - Lieutenant Douglas Campbell attacked enemy bi-place near Thiaucourt and was in turn engaged by a second enemy bi-place but both combats were indecisive.

17 May 1918

94th - Lieutenant Edward Rickenbacker engaged three enemy Albatross scouts near Richecourt and succeeded in destroying one. The other two dove for their side of the lines and in diving after them the wing on Lieutenant Rickenbacker's type XXVIII Nieuport snapped. By good luck he managed to nurse the crippled Nieuport back to the airdrome without being sighted by a single enemy airplane.

95th - 1st Lieutenant Richard A. Blodgett killed in combat with Fokker Triplane Scout over Marne. Major David McK Peterson destroyed an enemy bi-place near Richecourt Confirmed.

147th - On his first flight with the squadron late in the afternoon, Lieut. Vadnais crashed in a type XXVII Nieuport, completely destroying the airplane, but escaping uninjured.

18 May 1918

17th - Major Harold Fowler, M. C. assumed command of the American Air Service Units with the British Expeditionary Forces and had the 17th Aero Squadron tentatively equipped with the I 10 horsepower Sopwith Camels. The Squadron had previously trained, and the enlisted personnel had been trained in the maintenance of the Sopwith SE-5's, but the English Government could spare none of them at the time.

27th - 1st Lieutenant Malcolm Gunn entrusted with the design of a squadron insignia. An insignia proposed to have a shield in cloud background and pierced by an arrow was disapproved by the Chief of Air Service due to confusion 'with the insignia granted the 94th Squadron. Corporal Blumberg drew up the insignia, an American eagle with outspread wings and extended talons, which was said to have originated on the side of an Annhauser Busch Beer Wagon. The squadron was experiencing great difficulty with the pilfering of food from the mess hall and orders were issued by the Squadron Commander that the mess hall would be locked after every meal and no one, officer or enlisted man, other than the cooks, would be permitted to enter. The pilfering still continued.<