Edward Meeker Haight
Colonel Edward Meeker Haight (May 30, 1896 – December 5, 1975) was a flying ace when he served as a lieutenant in World War I. He was credited with five aerial victories, all against German fighter planes.[1]
Edward Meeker Haight | |
|---|---|
 Edward Meeker Haight, 1918 | |
| Born | May 30, 1896 Astoria, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 5, 1975 (aged 79) Saint Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | Air Service, United States Army United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Air Service, United States Army |
| Commands held | 30th Air Service Group, Randolph AFB |
| Battles/wars |   World War I World War II |
| Relations | Son Edward MIA in 1944 |
| Other work | Last World War I ace to serve in U.S. Air Force |
World War I service
Haight scored his victories in just over a month, from 28 September through 30 October 1918,[1] while flying a Spad.[2]
Between the World Wars
Postwar, Haight pursued a career in the U. S. flying service, although he interrupted his service time at some point for approximately six years. He flew as an airline pilot in Central America, and maintained his reserve commission. He was recalled to active duty for World War II.[3]
World War II and beyond
During World War II, he rose to the rank of colonel and briefly commanded Randolph AFB in 1942. In 1950, he was culled from the officer's ranks and chose to enlist as a noncommissioned officer rather than leave the military; this allowed him to complete his 30 years for retirement. He retired on 3 May 1954 at Randolph AFB, after serving four years as a master sergeant in the School of Aviation Medicine.[3]
Relation
His son 2nd Lt Edward Haight was Missing in action on 18 July 1944 during World War II.[4]
References
- The Aerodrome website Retrieved 4 March 2010.
- SPAD XII/XIII aces of World War I. p. 85.
- Brownsville Herald , 3 May 1954. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- Edward Haight at Find a grave memorial
Bibliography
- Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918. Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0.
- SPAD XII/XIII Aces of World War I. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-316-0, ISBN 978-1-84176-316-3.