1009:
501:, which was undertaken to eliminate the salient in the front lines around St. Mihiel that had existed since early in the war, the 13th fought with vigor. While ground forces were attacking and destroying, men, material, and morale, the 13th's pilots kept busy destroying enemy aircraft and balloons, and making the sky safe for Allied observation planes. The squadron suffered its first combat loss on 13 September when Lt. Robert Converse was shot down on a late afternoon patrol and reported missing in action. On 14 September 1918 a squadron-strength patrol led by Charles Biddle was ambushed by a flight of the red and white Fokker D VII aircraft of
76:
127:
59:
557:
478:
486:
31:
170:
524:, and from there inflicted heavy losses upon enemy aircraft and balloons. As its pilots gained domination of the air, their responsibilities were expanded to include protection of ground forces, strafing of enemy troops and bombing of targets that could be observed within enemy lines. During the Meuse Argonne Offensive, the squadron lost Lts. Gerald D. Stivers, Henry Guion Armstrong, Clarence A. Brodie and Robert H. Stiles killed in action.
919:
888:
1040:
355:. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines. After the
540:, although on orders to return home, sought and received permission to serve with the 13th Aero Squadron as a pursuit pilot. He subordinated himself to men of lower rank, but as a result of his ardent zeal and ability, he was soon a flight leader and was credited with destroying two Fokkers during the
493:
The 13th was charged with protection of the St. Mihiel sector, and its pilots soon were active in intercepting and attacking enemy aircraft that attempted reconnaissance over Allied lines. The Spads also escorted Allied observation planes deep into enemy territory where their pilots sometimes engaged
440:
for advanced flight and air combat training. For the next four months the squadron trained at
Issodun, with detachments sent to French Air Force gunnery ranges at Meucon and Haussimont Aerodromes. Finally, in the beginning of June, training was completed and the squadron moved to the 1st Air Depot
516:
August Raben, one of a number of times the same two opposing squadrons would meet before the
Armistice, starting with the aerial action over the St. Mihiel salient. Six original squadron members were downed in a matter of minutes: Lt. Charles Drew, Lt Alton Brody, Lt. Van H. Burgin, Lt. Thomas
407:
Jenny trainer. Training in Ohio lasted until 1 November when it received orders for overseas duty. The squadron proceeded to the
Aviation Concentration Center, Garden City, New York, where it awaited transport to Europe. At the end of November, the squadron moved to
517:
Phillips Evans, Lt. Harry B. "Buck" Freeman and Lt. George P. Kull. Lts. Burgin, Converse, Drew, Evans, Freeman and Brody were captured and repatriated after the
Armistice. George Kull was confirmed killed in action, the first combat fatality of the 13th Aero Squadron.
579:. There, personnel awaited scheduling to report to one of the Base Ports in France for transport to the United States and subsequent demobilization. From 6 February to 3 March 1919, the squadron was at the port of Brest before crossing the Atlantic aboard the SS
435:
At St. Maixent the squadron waited for several weeks and largely performed construction and other activities designed to improve the newly established base. At the end of
January, orders were received to proceed to the 3d Air Instructional Center at
1200:
Series "H", Section "O", Volume 29, Weekly
Statistical Reports of Air Service Activities, October 1918 – May 1919. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington,
1044:
1397:
1022:
1336:
Series "D", Weekly
Statistical Reports of Air Service Activities, October 1918 – May 1919. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
1352:
United States War
Department (1920), Battle Participation of Organizations of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, Belgium and Italy, 1917–1919, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1920
568:
to turn in all of its supplies and equipment and was relieved from duty with the AEF. The squadron's SPAD aircraft were delivered to the Air
Service American Air Service Acceptance Park No. 1 at
534:
The 13th claimed several "aces" from this period of its history: Charles J Biddle, Van H. Burgin, Thomas
Phillips Evans, Murray K Guthrie, Frank K Hays, John J Seerley, and William H Stovall.
1402:
1392:
1191:
Series "E", Volume 9, History of the 11th–13th Aero Squadrons. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
1215:
Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, Series M, Volume 38, Compilation of Confirmed Victories and Losses of the AEF Air Service as of 26 May 1919
1066:
Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918 Norman Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992.
564:
After the armistice, the squadron remained at Souilly until 16 December 1918 when orders were received from First Army for the squadron to report to the 1st Air Depot,
1361:
1256:
Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the First World War, Volume 3, Part 3, Center of Military History, United States Army, 1949 (1988 Reprint)
994:
520:
The Meuse-Argonne campaign was launched on 26 September 1918 to further reduce the St. Mihiel salient. The 13th Aero Squadron moved on 23 September to
1225:
399:, Texas on 14 June 1917. After a short period of organization, which included "snake-chasing and cactus-cutting", the squadron was moved to
1318:
1079:
575:
Personnel at Colombey were subsequently assigned to the commanding general, services of supply, and ordered to report to the staging camp at
1008:
1094:
1270:
1133:
1071:
924:
749:
429:
1027:
126:
333:
80:
893:
702:
106:
75:
1226:"Maurer, Maurer (1978), The US Air Service in World War I, The Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF Washington"
801:
777:
565:
442:
363:
428:, France, the squadron boarded a French train south, arriving at the Air Service Replacement Concentration Barracks in
783:
512:
450:
356:
337:
149:
36:
424:, England where they were temporarily assigned to a Rest Camp. After a cross-channel crossing from Southampton to
1265:
Rogers, Brian. United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications, 2005.
572:
to be returned to the French. There practically all of the pilots and observers were detached from the squadron.
531:
and continued combat operations until the Armistice with Germany was signed and combat ended on 11 November 1918.
352:
1120:
545:
379:
367:
310:
498:
375:
837:
826:
556:
1376:
541:
303:
918:
1232:
709:
696:
477:
466:
400:
30:
755:
462:
437:
371:
317:
282:
278:
195:
887:
587:, New York, where it was demobilized. It remained inactive until it was reconstituted in 1936.
485:
1314:
1266:
1147:
1139:
1129:
1075:
1067:
795:
789:
528:
521:
458:
169:
453:, near Toul, in the "Zone of Advance". There the 13th received its combat assignment to the
764:
655:
454:
348:
224:
182:
1091:
1098:
1002:
576:
584:
403:, Ohio in the beginning of July where its aviation cadets began flight training on the
296:
445:
where the 13th Aero Squadron was classified as a Pursuit Squadron and received French
1386:
998:
814:
569:
64:
720:
409:
404:
200:
949:
690:
537:
396:
341:
277:* Biddle had a total of 7 aerial victories, one while serving with Spa73 of the
131:
1297:
737:
421:
362:
On 16 October 1936 the squadron was re-constituted, and consolidated with the
347:
The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the
731:
446:
417:
359:, the squadron returned to the United States in March 1919 and demobilized.
187:
489:
Insignia of Jasta 18, a main German opponent of the 13th in September 1918
1151:
743:
509:
503:
425:
807:
416:, and departed the United States on 4 December. The ship arrived at
770:
Detachment at: Haussimont Aerodrome, France, c. 11 May-c. 24 June 1918
420:, England on 25 December where the same day, they boarded a train for
1023:
Organization of the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force
1007:
555:
484:
476:
1128:(reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.
1143:
664:
Commanding General, Services of Supply, 6 February-3 March 1919
1398:
Squadrons of the United States Army Air Service in World War I
548:. and is also credited with an out of control enemy aircraft.
642:
Replacement Concentration Center, AEF, France, 1 January 1918
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684:
621:
1311:
Osprey Elite Aviation Units #40: Jasta 18 – The Red Noses
1362:
Military Times Hall of Valor Search, 13th Aero Squadron
449:
aircraft. Once equipped the squadron was ordered to
705:, Garden City, New York, 1 November-3 December 1917
630:
Post Headquarters, Wilbur Wright Field, 8 July 1917
194:
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176:
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142:
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113:
102:
94:
86:
70:
52:
44:
23:
1313:. Oxford UK: Osprey Publishing. pp. 107–115.
1403:Military units and formations established in 1917
560:Squadron photo after the Armistice, November 1918
35:13th Aero Squadron – SPAD XIII assigned to Major
370:unit which holds its lineage and history is the
228:Western Front, France: 28 June-11 November 1918
39:, likely taken at Souilly Airdrome, France, 1918
1393:Squadrons of the United States Army Air Service
1122:Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II
958:Lt. Charles W. Drew, DSC, POW, 1 aerial victory
636:Winchester Rest Camp, England, 26 December 1917
583:. From 13 to 29 March 1919 the squadron was at
1012:Drew receiving his Distinguished Service Cross
961:Lt. J. Dickinson Este, DSC, 4 aerial victories
633:Aviation Concentration Center, 1 November 1917
8:
649:3d Air Instructional Center, 26 January 1918
639:Le Havre Rest Camp, France, 27 December 1917
627:Post Headquarters, Kelly Field, 14 June 1917
494:enemy planes and attacked hostile balloons.
1379:at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections
1211:
1209:
1207:
366:13th Attack Squadron. Today, the current
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281:and 1 (with one other probable) with the
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1287:
1285:
1283:
1281:
1279:
968:Lt. Murray K. Guthrie, DSC (3x), air ace
856:
395:The 13th Aero Squadron was organised at
285:before he joined the 13th Aero Squadron.
1348:
1346:
1344:
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1108:
1106:
1054:
977:Lt. Thomas Phillips Evans, POW, air ace
211:
20:
16:WW1 division of the United States Army
1062:
1060:
1058:
527:On 7 November, the squadron moved to
274:Maj. Charles J. Biddle, 5 (4 shared)*
7:
1049:Air Force Historical Research Agency
974:Lt. William H. Stovall, DSC, air ace
971:Lt. Frank K. Hays, DSC, SSC, air ace
955:Cpt. Charles J. Biddle, DSC, air ace
667:Eastern Department, 13–29 March 1919
661:1st Air Depot, AEF, 16 December 1918
267:Total Enemy Aircraft Destroyed: 29
14:
1092:AFHRA 13th Bomb Squadron History
1043: This article incorporates
1038:
925:Meuse-Argonne Offensive Campaign
917:
886:
767:, France, 6 April-c. 11 May 1918
750:St. Maixent Replacement Barracks
168:
125:
74:
57:
29:
1028:List of American aero squadrons
980:Lt. Van H. Burgin, POW, air ace
929:26 September-11 November 1918
334:United States Army Air Service
81:United States Army Air Service
1:
1119:Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) .
894:St. Mihiel Offensive Campaign
703:Aviation Concentration Center
612:Demobilized on 29 March 1919.
481:13th Aero Squadron – SPAD XII
107:American Expeditionary Forces
1309:van Wyngarden, Greg (2011).
879:10 August-11 September 1918
853:Combat sectors and campaigns
840:, New York, 13–29 March 1919
802:Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome
786:(Toul), France, 28 June 1918
778:Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome
607:13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit)
566:Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome
443:Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome
364:United States Army Air Corps
261:Enemy Aircraft shot down: 29
48:14 June 1917 – 29 March 1919
995:Distinguished Service Cross
792:, France, 23 September 1918
740:, England, 26 December 1917
734:, England, 25 December 1917
497:While participating in the
357:1918 Armistice with Germany
264:Enemy Balloons shot down: 0
1419:
1377:Charles W. Drew Collection
1298:13th Bomb Squadron History
804:, France, 16 December 1918
746:, France, 30 December 1917
652:1st Air Depot, 5 June 1918
412:, where it boarded the SS
952:, DSC, 3 aerial victories
810:, France, 6 February 1919
798:, France, 7 November 1918
758:, France, 27 January 1918
214:
163:13th Aero Squadron Emblem
28:
752:, France, 1 January 1918
353:First United States Army
336:unit that fought on the
292:Lt Thomas Phillips Evans
1097:13 October 2014 at the
784:Croix de Metz Aerodrome
546:Meuse-Argonne Offensive
451:Croix de Metz Aerodrome
380:Whiteman Air Force Base
368:United States Air Force
1045:public domain material
1013:
561:
490:
482:
376:509th Operations Group
148:Captain (later Major)
1011:
910:17–22 September 1918
898:12–16 September 1918
780:, France, 5 June 1918
693:, Texas, 14 June 1917
559:
488:
480:
1238:on 27 September 2013
999:Silver Star Citation
724:, 4–25 December 1917
718:Overseas transport:
499:St. Mihiel Offensive
467:139th Aero Squadrons
457:where it joined the
235:Combat missions: 179
710:Hoboken, New Jersey
699:, Ohio, 8 July 1917
697:Wilbur Wright Field
401:Wilbur Wright Field
311:John J. Seerley Jr.
250:Aircraft lost: 11
1014:
824:Return transport:
756:Issoudun Aerodrome
598:13th Aero Squadron
562:
491:
483:
438:Issoudun Aerodrome
432:, 1 January 1918.
374:, assigned to the
372:13th Bomb Squadron
330:13th Aero Squadron
318:William H. Stovall
283:103d Aero Squadron
279:French Air Service
153:Lt. Dickinson Este
24:13th Aero Squadron
1320:978-1-84908-335-5
1080:978-0-948817-54-0
1005:
989:
988:
938:Notable personnel
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830:, 3–13 March 1919
796:Souilly Aerodrome
790:Belrain Aerodrome
676:
675:
609:, on 28 June 1918
529:Souilly Aerodrome
522:Belrain Aerodrome
326:
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297:Murray K. Guthrie
286:
238:Enemy combats: 89
207:
206:
150:Charles J. Biddle
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656:2d Pursuit Group
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473:Combat in France
455:2d Pursuit Group
349:2d Pursuit Group
289:Lt Van H. Burgin
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225:2d Pursuit Group
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1099:Wayback Machine
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1019:
1003:Prisoner of War
990:
940:
863:Sector/Campaign
855:
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763:Detachment at:
708:Port of Entry,
682:
677:
619:
605:Re-designated:
600:on 14 June 1917
593:
577:Le Mans, France
554:
535:
475:
393:
388:
275:
232:Sorties: 1,374
227:
210:
164:
152:
144:
130:
117:"Grim Reapers"
58:
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40:
17:
12:
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320:, 6 (3 shared)
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304:Frank K. Hayes
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270:Air Aces: 7
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201:Curtiss JN-4
165:"Grim Oscar"
103:Part of
18:
1242:1 September
950:Carl Spaatz
838:Garden City
691:Kelly Field
617:Assignments
538:Carl Spaatz
513:der Reserve
430:St. Maixent
397:Kelly Field
342:World War I
247:Missing: 12
132:World War I
122:Engagements
1387:Categories
1034:References
827:SS America
738:Winchester
542:St. Mihiel
422:Winchester
244:Wounded: 3
241:Killed: 0
220:Operations
145:commanders
138:Commanders
732:Liverpool
507:, led by
447:SPAD XIII
418:Liverpool
414:Northland
257:Victories
188:SPAD XIII
1144:70605402
1095:Archived
1017:See also
860:Streamer
813:Port of
744:Le Havre
680:Stations
510:Leutnant
504:Jasta 18
426:Le Havre
158:Insignia
90:Squadron
1001:; POW:
997:; SSC:
808:Le Mans
591:Lineage
581:America
391:Origins
386:History
340:during
196:Trainer
183:Fighter
143:Notable
98:Pursuit
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536:Major
332:was a
203:, 1917
190:, 1918
71:Branch
62:
45:Active
1236:(PDF)
1229:(PDF)
1152:72556
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993:DSC:
948:Maj.
866:Dates
109:(AEF)
1315:ISBN
1267:ISBN
1244:2013
1201:D.C.
1148:OCLC
1140:LCCN
1130:ISBN
1076:ISBN
1068:ISBN
544:and
465:and
463:49th
328:The
95:Role
87:Type
459:22d
441:at
316:Lt
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
