thomaslanphier

The three uniformed officers in the center of the photo are (L to R), Thomas G. Lanphier, Sr., Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, and Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_George_Lanphier_Sr. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Spaatz en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

That is not Frank Hawks with Lindbergh. That is Army aviator Thomas Lanphier, Sr., one of Lindbergh's closest friends and the father of Thomas Jr., who was among the leaders of the mission to shoot down Admiral Yamamoto's plane (and disputed as the one responsible for the shootdown.) Here's a contemporaneous photo of Lanphier, Sr. and Lindbergh: www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/5684684502/See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_George_Lanphier_Sr.

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