Born in Londonberry, Noca Scotia, Canada July 30, 1896. Honor graduate United States Army School of Military Aeronautics July 14, 1917. Received his Military Aviator Rating and Commission in France in November 1917. Assigned to Eddie Rickenbacker's renowned 94th Aero Squadron at age 22. World War I Ace with total of 8 victories. Returned to Birmingham, Alabama fowllowing the war. In 1921 he banded together a small group of ex-military aviators to form the Birmingham Flying Club. Thi s"Escadrille" was the beginning of the Alabama National Guard Flying Squadron in January 1922. As the first Commander of the 106th Observation Squadron, he pioneered aviation development in the nation adn the state of Alabama. Honored with a hero's burial in Arlington National Cemetary, Washington, D.C. 1936.