Forgotten eagle :a biography of Brigadier General Arthur B. McDaniel /Shawn M. Bohannon.

49 Pages·1997·5.1 MB·English

by  Kelly Air Force Base, Tex. :Office of History, San Antonio Air Logistics Center

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Forgotten Eagle
A
Biography of
Brigadier General Arthur B. McDanie
SSgt Shawn M. Bohannon
Office ofHistory
San AntonioAir Logistics Center
KellyAir Force Base,Texas
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016 with funding from
University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries
https://archive.org/details/forgotteneagleabOOkell
Forgotten Eagle
A
Biography of
Brigadier General Arthur B McDaniel
.
SSgt Shawn M. Bohannon
Office ofHistory
San Antonio Air Logistics Center
Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
Brigadier General Arthur B. McDaniel
Commanding General, III Reconnaissance Command, Birmingham
Army Air Base, Alabama, October 1942 to December 1943.
11
Preface
On October 30, 1996, I began my first “official” day of work as an Air
Force Historian at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center. When I entered the
office, a display case bearing a dazzling array ofexotic SouthAmerican decora-
tions, an officer’s saber, and a U.S. Army uniform, among other things, immedi-
ately piqued my interest. I learned from the placard the items once belonged to
Brigadier GeneralArthur Bee McDaniel, a member ofthe U.S.Army PanAmeri-
can Flight. I had never heard ofthe man or the mission he flew - the absolute
perfect ingredients for a bit ofresearch!
I learned that General McDaniel’s footlockers and all his military pos-
sessions were in the custody ofmy new office and, to my surprise, were 10 feet
away in a store room. I spent the next four months, using lunch breaks and
whatever free time I could muster, pouring over the General’s military records,
personal letters, award certificates, photograph albums, and scrapbooks trying
to piece together the life ofa man who died 53 years ago. In those footlockers I
found the story ofan aviation pioneer who had a long and unique relationship
with Kelly Air Force Base during the heyday ofmilitary flight training in the
1920s. I also found more than that. I discovered an exciting chapter in Ameri-
can aviation history, the Pan American Flight, a chapter that seems to have
been overshadowed by other events and other players.
I am certain that most people in the Air Force today, like myself four
months ago, have not heard ofBrigadier General Arthur B. McDaniel or, possi-
bly, even the Pan American Flight. Except for a briefmoment in the sun, Gen-
eral McDaniel served his country and his profession quietly and without much
fanfare. During World War II, he never held an acclaimed combat command or
played a visible part in great events. Like most of the men and women in the
U.S.Air Force today, General McDaniel spent the majority ofhis career“behind
the scenes,” serving to the best ofhis abilities and never asking for much.
Although General McDaniel passed away before the dream of an inde-
pendentAir Force could be realized, I would like to think that, in his own small
way, he helped achieve that goal. As the 50th Anniversary ofthe United States
Air Force rapidly approaches, it is important to remember those who served
and sacrificed before us so that we, as Americans and Airmen, can celebrate
this historic event withjustifiable pride. Here is the story ofone such person...
Acknowledgments
This biography would not have been written without the grateful assistance
provided by many individuals and institutions. I would like to express my deepest ap-
preciation to my “boss,” Mrs. Ann K. Hussey, Chief, Office ofHistory, San Antonio Air
Logistics Center at KellyAFB,Texas. Her encouragement and patience with a“young”
historian allowed this work to be completed. Mrs. Ann H. Bianchi, one of General
McDaniel’s closest relatives (her grandmother,Varina McDaniel Ebert, was Dr.Arthur
S. McDaniel’s sister) enthusiastically supported this work by graciously sharing with
me her grandmother’s personal remembrances of General McDaniel and his family.
Captain Keith Fletcher,USAF,ofScottAFB, Illinois, (General McDaniel’s third cousin,
two generations removed) provided a wealth of information regarding the McDaniel
family military heritage and genealogical line.
Mrs.Alice“Gerry”Rhine,the younggirl who kissedherbrave cousin farewell at
the start ofthe PanAmerican Flight,invited meintoherhome and shared manyrecol-
lections ofGeneral McDaniel andhisfamily.Mrs. LauraLeeNorquist,ArthurMcDaniel’s
niece by marriage, unselfishly donated the late General’s possessions to KellyAFB for
publicdisplay.Mrs. Norquistalso sharedhermanyfondmemories ofGeneral McDaniel,
the “brother” she never had.
I wish to also thank the staffofthe Air Force Historical ResearchAgency, Max-
wellAFB,Alabama,forassistingmelocatethepersonal papers ofMajorGeneral Herbert
A. Dargue. This material provided the lion’s share ofthe historical background infor-
mation on the U.S. Army Pan American Goodwill Flight. Ms. Judy Sibley, Assistant
Archivist, at the U.S. MilitaryAcademy, West Point, New York, provided the informa-
tion regarding General McDaniel’s selection and subsequent medical denial to that
institution.Also,my thanks to the staffofthe KellyAFB photo laboratoryforproviding
the superlative copies ofmany ofthe photographs that appear in this work. Ms. Lilia
Troyano of the Kelly AFB graphics section is responsible for the marvelous editorial
work and professional photo restoration that made this work what it is.
SSgtMarkC. Levasseur,NCOIC ofDataAutomation, 76thSecurityPolice Squad-
ron, KellyAFB,Texas, deserves recognition forhis expert computer supportin correct-
ing the many“technical difficulties” encountered during the course ofthis project.And
to TSgt Richard A. Eades, USAF Reserve, 944th Fighter Wing Historian, Luke AFB,
Arizona, a special thanks for photographingthe original pictures contained in General
Dargue’s personal photograph albums at the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
I alsowishto acknowledgeMs. KellyBlackoftheTexas MilitaryInstituteAlumni
Office, San Antonio, Texas, for promptly responding to my request for the historical
backgroundoftheWestTexas MilitaryAcademy.Also,averywarmthankstoMs. Rhonda
Cope, Family Service Counselor, Greenwood Cemetery, Montgomery,Alabama, for tak-
ing the time from her schedule to escort me personally on a special pilgrimage to Gen-
eral McDaniel’s burial place.
SanAntonio, Texas, May 1997 Shawn M. Bohannon, SSgt
1,
U.S. Air Force Historian
iv
Table of Contents
Title Page
i
Frontispiece
ii
Preface
iii
Acknowledgments
iv
List ofIllustrations vi
Dramitis Personae vii
Chapter One: A Biography ofGeneral McDaniel
Part I: Overture 1
Part II: The EarlyYears 2
Part III: Enter the Air Service 3
Part IV: Mac Makes the Grade:
The U.S. Army Pan American Flight 5
Part V: The Interim: 1927 to 1940 14
PartVI: The Big One: World War II 19
A
PartVII: Retrospect 20
Chapter Two: Awards and Decorations ofGeneral McDaniel
Part I: Awards ofthe United States 21
Part II: Foreign Decorations 23
Part III: OtherAwards 25
Notes 27
Glossary 32
Appendices
1. General McDaniel’s Promotions and Dates ofAppointment 33
2. U.S. Army Pan American Flight Route and Timetable 34
3. Route and Timetable ofthe SanAntonio 30 January to 5 March 1927 36
,
v
List ofIllustrations
Cover: Captain Arthur B. McDaniel (left) and First Lieutenant Charles McK.
Robinson (right) posing for the press in front of their aircraft, the San Antonio, at
Duncan Field, December 20, 1926 (SA-ALC/HO archives).
Title Page: The U.S. Army Pan American Flight insignia.
Frontispiece: Brigadier General Arthur B. McDaniel (SA-ALC/HO archives).
Photographs Page
Arthur B. McDaniel, 1900, 4 1/2 years ofage 1
WTMA
Arthur B. McDaniel in football uniform, ca. 1912 2
First Lieutenant McDaniel, 24th Infantry Regiment, ca. 1917 to 1918 3
McDaniel and Gibson A. Marr departing Kelly Field, April 6, 1923 3
McDaniel and friend after a flight in a DH-4 aircraft, Kelly Field, 1922 4
McDaniel and NBS-1 bomber at Post Field, Oklahoma, May 18-27, 1924 5
The U.S. Army Pan-American Flyers 6
Pilots and aircraft ofthe Pan American Flight, Duncan Field, December
1926 8
McDaniel working on the San Antonio with Ambassador Porudexter 11
The San Antonio on the beach at Montevideo, Uruguay, March 1927 12
The Pan American Flyers meeting the city council ofSantiago, Cuba, April
18, 1927 13
The Pan-American Flyers receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross citation
from President Calvin Coolidge, May 2, 1927 14
Major Dargue receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross from Secretary of
War Dwight F. Davis, December 21, 1927 16
First Lieutenant Bernard S. Thompson, Charles A. Lindbergh, and Captain
McDaniel at Kelly Field, November 26, 1928 17
BT-2B aircraft McDaniel crashed at Bolling Field on September 16, 1931 17
Arthur and Leah McDaniel’s wedding day 18
Arthur and Leah McDaniel, circa 1943 18
McDaniel’s burial place 20
Lieutenant Colonel McDaniel displaying his decorations 21
McDaniel’s military orders and decorations 24
McDaniel’s Cross ofMilitary Service 26
Table
U.S. Army Pan American Flight Crew Positions 7
Map
Pan American Goodwill Flight, 1926-1927 15
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Dramatis Personae
Andrews, Frank Maxwell (February 3, 1884, to May 3, 1943) General. Commanding General
(CG) Headquarters Air Force, March 1935 to March 1939, Commander Caribbean Air Force,
December 1940 to September 1941; CommanderU.S. Forces in the Middle East; CG U.S. Forces
in the European Theater.
Arnold, Henry Harley (June 25, 1886, to January 15, 1950) General oftheAirForce.Assistant to
the ChiefoftheAirCorps, December 1935 to September 1938; ChiefoftheAirCorps, September
1938 to June 1941; CGArmyAir Force (AAF), June 1941 to January 1946.
Benton, John W. (November 27, 1896, to February 26, 1927) First Lieutenant. Member of the
U.S. Army Pan American Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927.
Coolidge, Calvin (July 4, 1872, to January 5, 1933) The 30th President of the United States,
August 1923 to March 1929.
Dargue, Herbert Arthur (November 17, 1886, to December 12, 1941) Major General. Com-
mander ofthe U.S. Army Pan American Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927; Assistant Commandant
AirCorps Tactical School, 1934 to 1938;Assistant to the ChiefoftheAir Corps, October 1940 to
June 1941; CG FirstAirForce, June to December 1941.
Davis, Dwight Filley (5 July, 1879 to November 28, 1945) Secretary ofWar, October 1925 to
March 1929.
Davison, F(rederick) Trubee (February 7, 1896, to November 14, 1974) Assistant Secretary of
War (forAir), July 1926 to 1932.
Eaker, Ira Clarence (April 13, 1896, toAugust 6, 1987) General. Memberofthe U.S. Army Pan
AmericanGoodwillFlight, 1926to 1927;Awardedthe DistinguishedFlyingCross(FirstOak Leaf
Cluster)fortheendurance flightofthe“QuestionMark” inJanuary 1929;CommanderVIIIBomber
Command, January 1942 to February 1942; CG Eighth Air Force, February 1942 to December
1942; CG allAAF inUnitedKingdom; December 1942toJanuary 1944;AirCommander-in-Chicf
(C-in-C) ofMediterraneanAlliedAirForces, January 1944 to 1945; Deputy CGAAF and Chiefof
theAir Staff, 1945 to 1947.
Fairchild, Muir Stephen (September2, 1894, to March 17, 1950) General. Wounded on October
15, 1918, while serving with the 1 1thAero Squadron in France duringWorld War I; laterawarded
the Purple Heart on July 5, 1932; Memberofthe U.S. Army PanAmerican Goodwill Flight, 1926
to 1927; Assistant to the ChiefoftheAir Corps,August 1941 to March 1942; Member Joint Stra-
tegic SurveyCommitteeofJCS, November 1942 to 1946; CommanderoftheAirUniversity, 1946
to 1948; Vice ChiefofStaff, U.S. Air Force, 1948 to 1950.
Foulois, Benjamin Delahauf(December 9, 1879, to April 25, 1967) Major General. Chiefofthe
Air Corps, December 1931 to December 1935.
Lahm,FrankPurdy(November 17, 1877, toJuly7, 1963) MajorGeneral. CommanderAirCorps
Training Center at Duncan Field, July 1926 to July 1930.
McDaniel, Dr.Arthur Shaw (April 22, 1854, to October 18, 1938) ArthurB. McDaniel’s father.
McDaniel, Blanche (February 14, 1885, to September 25, 1904) Arthur B. McDaniel’s sister.
McDaniel,LeahGlenn(neeBurpee)(December 10, 1902,toMarch6, 1989)ArthurB. McDaniel’s
wife.
McDaniel, Leila Grayson (nee Ervin) (December 23, 1858, to November 28, 1934) Arthur B.
McDaniel’s mother.
McDaniel, Walter Irvin (1825 to May 21, 1913)ArthurB. McDaniel’s grandfather.
Patrick, Mason Mathews (December 13, 1863, to January 29, 1942) Major General. Chiefofthe
Air Service, October 1921 to July 1926; ChiefoftheAir Corps, July 1926 to December 1927.
Robinson, Charles McK. (May 17, 1894, to ?) Lieutenant Colonel. Arthur B. McDaniel’s relief
pilot, U.S. Army PanAmerican Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927; Instructor at theAir Corps Tactical
School, 1930 to 1934.
Thompson, Bernard S. (February 27, 1892, to ?) Colonel. Member ofthe U.S. Army PanAmeri-
can Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927.
Weddington, Leonard D. (October 8, 1895, to May 26, 1961) Brigadier General. Member ofthe
U.S. Army PanAmerican Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927.
Whitehead, Ennis Clement (September 3, 1895, to October 12, 1964) Lieutenant General. Mem-
ber ofthe U.S. Army PanAmerican Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927; Deputy Commander FifthAir
Force, July 1942 toJune 1944; CGFifthAirForce, June 1944to 1945; CommanderPACUSA(later
Far East Air Forces), 1945 to April 1949; CG Continental Air Command, April 1949 to January
1951; CG AirDefenseCommand(overlappedwithhispreviouscommand), September 1950toJuly
1951.
Woolsey, Clinton F. (August 29, 1894, to February 26, 1927) Captain. Member ofthe U.S. Army
Pan American Goodwill Flight, 1926 to 1927.
viii