Born in Pratt City, Alabama in 1906. Completed Army Air Corps flight training in 1929. Selecte dto participate in orogianl high altitude research project at Selfridge Field, Michigan. Gained national prominence for his outstanding flying skills as a member of Claire Chenault's famous formation acrobatic team at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Went to China in 1935 as special advisor to Chiang Kai-Sheck and the Chinese Air Force. As Chief Pilot CNAC he pioneered "hump" routes which became China's lifeline. Later flew international schedules for Pan American Airways until his retirement in 1950.