erikhenningnelson

United States Army Air Service aviators of the 1920 Alaskan Expedition, photographed at Mitchel Field, Long Island, (L to R), St. Clair "Bill" Streett, Clifford C. Nutt, Ross C. Kirkpatrick, Erik H. Nelson, and Clarence E. Crumrine. The same photo is featured in U.S. Air Service, Vol. 4, No. 1, August 1920, Page 8. The expedition consisting of four Army Air Service de Havilland DH-4B aircraft and crew (several of which would have distinguished careers in aviation), flew round trip from Mitchel Field, Long Island to Nome, Alaska, from July 15, 1920 to October 20, 1920. For more on the expedition, see: "The Alaskan Flying Expedition - A Remarkable Achievement for the Army Air Service," Flying, Vol. IX, No. 10, November 1920, Pages 626-630.

Thank you TVL1970 for the great details about these men and the Alaska Expedition. We will add some of them to the description when we update.

Not really the fighter in spite of the photo caption, but the civil version "100".

Possibly c/n 1145 NC874H?

Distinguished aviator, Thomas G. Lanphier, Sr. (1890-1972), is the officer sitting and holding the child on the left side of the frame. He led the Army Air Service flight of six aircraft from from San Antonio, Texas to Puerto Rico in March 1923. Given the timeframe, it is likely that the child he is holding in his lap is his youngest son, James Lanphier (1920-1969), who'd later go on to become an actor. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_George_Lanphier_Sr. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lanphier www.imdb.com/name/nm0487036/ Another distinguished aviator, Erik Henning Nelson (1888-1970), is sitting on the ground, next to Lanphier, second from left. He'd be among the Army Air Service aviators that from from San Antonio, Texas to Puerto Rico in 1923. The following year, he'd be a one of the Air Service aviators who would fly as a member of the Around the World Flight expedition flown with Douglas World Cruiser aircraft. See: dmairfield.com/people/nelson_eh/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aerial_circumnavigation Charles B. Austin (1891-1928) is the third person standing from the right side of the frame. Austin attempted the first mail flight from Panama to Washington, D.C. in October 1920. See: www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cbaustin.htm