User:FlugKerl/sandbox
{{Article for deletion/dated}}
Livingston Gilson Irving | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 October 1895 San Francisco, California |
| Died | 4 July 1983 |
| Buried | Mountain View Cemetery Oakland California, USA[1] |
| Service/ | U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F. |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 103rd Aero Squadron |
| Awards | Distingushed Service Cross |
| Relations | Father, Samuel C. Irving (1858–1930) mayor of the City of Berkeley, California from 1915 to 1919. Mother- Laura F. Sell |
Livingston Gilson Irving DSC,[2] (1895 –1983) was an American World War I pilot.[3]
Text of citations[edit]
Distinguished Service Cross - for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Bantheville, France, 10 October 1918. Accompanied by another pilot, Lieutenant Irving attacked an enemy formation of 11 planes, four of which were above him. In spite of the great odds, he dived into the lower formation, and after a sharp combat destroyed one plane, and with the aid of his companion forced a second plane to earth.[4]
Victories[edit]
| Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit assigned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 October 1918 | One kill,One assist | Bantheville, France | 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group | Earned DSC |
Prior to World War I, Irving attended the University of California, Berkley.[5]
After World War I, Livingston worked with his brother at the California Cider Company overseeing the orchards. He also flew out of Crissy Field as part of the Air Corps Reserve.[6]
In 1927, Inspired by Charles A. Lindbergh's successful trans-Atlantic flight, James D. Dole, the Hawaii pineapple magnate, put up a prize of US$25,000 for the first fixed-wing aircraft to fly the 3,870 kilometers (2,400 mi) from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii, and US$10,000 for second place.[7] Oakland built a 7,020 foot long runway, which was the longest in the world at the time in just 21 days to meet the Dole race start.[8][9] Irvine was the first contestant to enter the Dole Air Derby. The aircraft he chose to purchase for the attempt was the The Breese-Wilde Model 5. Irvines father Samuel C. Irving was mayor of Berkley and owner of San Fransisco based, Paraffine Companies Inc. where both worked. The company and it's employees sponsored the aircraft for the attempt, naming it the Pabco Pacific Flyer and painted with the Indian head of his WWI unit.[10] While most contestants had navigators, Irving was the only one qualified for both positions.[11] [12] While on the takeoff attempt for the Dole prize, Irving overran the runway. He was towed back, launched again, and crashed after stalling the heavily loaded bright orange Pabco Pacific Flyer. The landing gear collapsed, which precluded him from racing.[13] Irving donated his radio to William Portwood Erwin flying the Dallas Spirit to look for downed racers. Erwin perished in the rescue attempt as well. Irving escaped uninjured exiting the ill-fated air race that claimed ten others lives.[14]
In November 1927, his aircraft was wrecked in the Mojave Desert, ripping off both wings, it was then sold to directly to Irving for $10.00. It was rebuilt by the Breese Aircraft Company to a cabin style with a new fuselage, wing, wheels and a new propeller. Aircraft Industries Inc, then lengthened the aircraft 8" and added new wings five feet longer. The new plane was re-registered as the seven place Irving Cabin Monoplane aka "Redbird" with the intent on use as an aerial radio broadcasting station KHAC Flying Broadcasters (Inc.).[15][16] In June 1929, the aircraft was sold again to the Pacific Finance Corporation for $2000 with 550 flight hours logged. The aircraft was dismantled in December 1932.[17]
Livingston retired from the Army Air Force at the rank of colonel and is buried in Oakland, California.
References[edit]
- ^ "Livingston Gilson Irving". Find a Grave. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ "Honor Roll of the Air Service". Aerial Age Weekly. 3 March 1919.
- ^ "WWI Pilots from California". Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Livingston Gilson Irving". Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ^ University of California, Berkeley. Associated Students, University of California, Berkeley. Junior Class, Zeta Psi Fraternity. Iota Chapter (University of California, Berkeley). The Blue and gold.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "The Slater-Irving connection was sealed in Paraffine". Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ^ "Dole Derby". Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ Reuther, Ronald T.; Larkins, William T. Oakland Aviation. p. 17.
- ^ "Oakland Airport" (PDF). Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- ^ "Major Irving is Favorite to Win Hop to Honolulu". Berkley Daily Gazette. 9 July 1927. p. 10.
- ^ "WORK ALL NIGHT FOR PACIFIC FLIGHT; Mechanics Toil on Eighth and Ninth Planes to Qualify in Test Before Deadline Today. 10,000 BESIEGE AIRPORT Radio Guidance Plans Are Flashed to Ships at Sea for Tomorrow's Take-Off From Oakland". The New York Times. 15 August 1927. p. 3.
- ^ "The Slater-Irving connection was sealed in Paraffine". Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Ronald T. Reuther, William T. Larkins. Oakland Aviation. p. 27.
- ^ "Breese-Wilde History" (PDF). Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Radio Stations 1920-1930". Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "United States Callsign Policies". Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "United Airlines Executive Air Traveller" (PDF). Retrieved 3 November 2011.
External links[edit]
Category:American aviators
Category:Aviators from California
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
Category:1895 births
Category:1983 deaths
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