williamperwin

American World War I fighter ace William P. Erwin. Bill Irwin would perish while searching for those lost during the ill-fated Dole Air Race in 1927. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Portwood_Erwin en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dole_Air_Race

1st Lieut. William P. Erwin, location unknown but probably Coblenz, Germany along the Rhine River, December 1918‒early January 1919, eight miles SE of the Weißenthurm aérodrome, where the 1st Aero Squadron was stationed postwar.

Julvecourt, France, labeled 12 November 1918, 1st Aero Squadron officers, standing L to R (middle row): Lieutenants Richard T. Pilling; Herbert K. Baisley; Ross W. Bates; Lee H. Rogers; Fred E. D’Amour; Paul D. Meyers; William P. Erwin; L. H. Wells; Roy U. Babbs; Elliott J. Tucker; Louis S. Burwash; Charles A. Henry; Edward J. Groteclose; Arthur J. Butler; J. W. Gastreich; Philip T. Lyons; Sanford L. Willits. Back row L to R: Lieutenants Raymond S. Coward; Knox W. Nicholson; probably A. B. Pitts, labeled “Pitney” but no other officer had similar last name, although this would date photo to 11/16/18; John H. McKinney; Gordon M. Kibbs; J. G. Bastow. Kneeling L to R: Lieutenants Francis W. De Haven; Eckley B. Markel; James T. King; Littleton F. Pendleton; Guy B. Bacon; Ives Calhoun; Bruce M. Espy; Herbert W. Crede; Joseph H. Farnham; Alfred M. Pouse; Francis V. Yates; William D. Walsh; R. L. Gaalaas.

A photo of Arthur Coyle (who donated this album) and fighter ace William Erwin. Erwin would perish during an ill-fated attempt to find lost aviators during the 1927 Dole Air Race from Oakland to Honolulu. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Portwood_Erwin Here are a couple photos (among several) of Erwin in the SDASM collection: