Born in Belle Ellen, Bibb County, Alabama. Volunteered for service in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, U.S. Army in 1917. Served as flight instructor under General H. H. Arnold. Performed on acrobatic team with Jimmy Doolittle. One of the organizers of the original Alabama National Guard Flying Unit in 1922. Was motivating force to promote construction of Birmingham Municipal Airport. Was engineering project officer for Washington National Airport. Was principal aeronautical advisor for WPA airport construction. Was first chairman of the CAA Air Safety Board. Disappeared over South Atlantic enroute to Casablanca Conference in 1943.