This aviation pioneer was born January 14, 1897 at Dothan, Alabama. He became a flying cadet in the Signal Corps, U.S. Army in 1918. He graduated pilot training as a 2nd Lieutenant at Kelly Field, Texas. After graduation he became a senior instructor and executive officer in the 96th Bomber Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia. This young officer developed the "pull-off" parachute procedure from a Martin bomber. He also participated in the first night formation cross-country flight in history. Both of these historical events were pivotal in the early development of military aviation warfare. He was awarded the Hearst Bombing Trophy at Washington, D.C. on July 4, 1924. He later instructed Lieutenant Ben Eilson, the first pilot to fly over the North Pole. Sid Wilson located and established Hamner Field, the first airport in Tampa, Florida.