David Endicott Putnam: Difference between revisions
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1898|12|10}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date|1898|12|10}} |
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1918|09|12|1898|12|10}} |
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1918|09|12|1898|12|10}} |
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| birth_place = |
| birth_place = [[Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts]] |
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| death_place = Limey, France |
| death_place = Limey, France |
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| placeofburial = Lafayette Memorial du Parc de Garches, Paris, France |
| placeofburial = Lafayette Memorial du Parc de Garches, Paris, France |
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[[Air Service, United States Army]] |
[[Air Service, United States Army]] |
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* [[139th Aero Squadron]] |
* [[139th Aero Squadron]] |
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|rank= [[Lieutenant]] |
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| battles = [[File:World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|50px]] [[World War I]] |
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| battles = World War I |
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| awards = [[File:World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|50px]] [[World War I]], [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (posthumously), the [[Croix de Guerre]], with palms and stars, the [[Medallion Militarie]], the Cross of the [[Legion of Honor]], and the American Areo Club Medal.}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''David Endicott Putnam''' (December 10, 1898 – September 12, 1918) was an American [[flying ace]] of [[World War I]]. |
'''David Endicott Putnam''' (December 10, 1898 – September 12, 1918) was an American [[flying ace]] of [[World War I]]. He was known as the “Ace of Aces,” for thirteen confirmed kills, and thirty cumulative unconfirmed. He was shot by ace [[Georg von Hantelmann]] in the heart. |
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==Life== |
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A descendant of General [[Israel Putnam]]<ref name="The Aerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/putnam.php |title=David Putnam |publisher=theaerodrome.com}}</ref> |
A descendant of General [[Israel Putnam]]<ref name="The Aerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/putnam.php |title=David Putnam |publisher=theaerodrome.com}}</ref> '''David ‘Dave’ Endicott Putnam''' was born January 10, 1898 at [[Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts]],<ref name=illus>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Putnam.html |title=American Aces of WW1 - David E. Putnam |publisher=wwiaviation.com (An illustrated History of World War One)}}</ref> the son of Frederick H. Putnam and Jenet Hallowell.<ref>[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXNF-VSR Family Search birth record]</ref> |
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He attended [[Harvard University]] and was to graduate Harvard Class of 1920, but instead went overseas and joined with the French Foreign Legion, and American Air Service. {He was posthumously awarded a War Degree {S.B} Harvard Class of 1920}. |
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He joined the [[Lafayette Flying Corps]] of the [[French Air Service]] in 1917. In June of the following year, he joined the [[United States Air Service]].<ref>''Over the Front'', p. 66.</ref> |
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==Camp Becket== |
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Putnam attended Camp Becket-in-the-Berkshires, as a camper from 1914–1916, and counselor in 1917 when he was a Harvard freshman. Swimming was one of his passions and he became captain of the Life Saving Crew and Assistant Swimming Instructor. He was also an exceptional tennis player. He was popular among campers and received the 1915 Honor Emblem; 1916 Honor Button, the camp’s highest award. He is described in the camp newspaper ''Seen and Heard'' as “Modest and unassuming, yet genial and a good mixer, of high moral standard he was without question the most popular boy in the camp.”{{cn|date=May 2016}} Becket director, Henry W. Gibson affirms that: “The sense of fair play, of consideration for the other fellow, of physical bravery, of moral courage—all of these qualities were given a chance to express themselves in his camp life.” |
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==Military service== |
==Military service== |
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Putnam joined the |
Henry Gibson recalled that Putnam approached him at his tent and said, “I am going across the seas to get in the big fight.” He did indeed, by way of a cattle boat and joined the French Foreign Legion on May 31, 1917. He was transferred to the air service and trained at [[Avord]]. Putnam was assigned to Escadrille SPA 94 on 12 December 1917, and was posted to SPA 156 on 7 February 1918. While with the latter unit, he shot down four planes before being transferred to SPA 38 on 1 June 1918, where he claimed two more planes shot down. He was discharged in June 1918. |
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When the United States entered the war, Putnam joined the [[United States Air Service]] as a first lieutenant and briefly assumed command of the 134th Aero Squadron before joining the 139th Aero Squadron as a flight commander. |
When the United States entered the war, Putnam joined the [[United States Air Service]] as a first lieutenant and briefly assumed command of the 134th Aero Squadron before joining the 139th Aero Squadron as a flight commander. |
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As a gesture of respect, his aviators gave him a dinner in Paris, all 150 under his command. Wine was to be served and he abstained from alcohol, to which he turned over his glass and the others followed suit. With the 139th, Putnam scored his last three victories before he was killed in action. |
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He wrote to Henry Gibson, director of Camp Becket-in-the-Berkshires, where Putnam had been a camper and counsellor, "Can you imagine anyone falling 20,000 feet, nearly four miles, smashing a machine to kindling wood and only getting a broken tooth out of it all? No! Well, I am afraid you are going to try, for that is just what I did yesterday morning."{{clarify|date=September 2012}}{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} |
He wrote to Henry Gibson, director of Camp Becket-in-the-Berkshires, where Putnam had been a camper and counsellor, "Can you imagine anyone falling 20,000 feet, nearly four miles, smashing a machine to kindling wood and only getting a broken tooth out of it all? No! Well, I am afraid you are going to try, for that is just what I did yesterday morning."{{clarify|date=September 2012}}{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} |
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Putnam’s SPAD XIII was shot down by German ace Lt. [[Georg von Hantelmann]].<ref name=aces22>{{cite book |title=American Aces of World War 1 |page=22}}</ref> He was shot in the heart. He was scheduled to return home before his death. The official cablegram read, "Lieutenant David Endicott Putnam, killed September 12, 1918; buried September 14, at Toul in a field golden with buttercups, beside Luftbury, Blair, and Thaw." |
Putnam’s SPAD XIII was shot down by German ace Lt. [[Georg von Hantelmann]].<ref name=aces22>{{cite book |title=American Aces of World War 1 |page=22}}</ref> He was shot in the heart. He was scheduled to return home before his death. The official cablegram read, "Lieutenant David Endicott Putnam, killed September 12, 1918; buried September 14, at Toul in a field golden with buttercups, beside Luftbury, Blair, and Thaw." |
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During his time abroad, Becket director, Henry W. Gibson corresponded with Putnam until the former received a returned letter in his name, with the words ‘deceased’ written on the envelope. Gibson never opened it and then he used it to illustrate in the camp chapel service, we must always never delay telling what is on our hearts before it is too late. |
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==Awards and decorations== |
==Awards and decorations== |
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* ''Our Loyal Band'' Dave DeLuca. Becket-Chimney Corner YMCA: 2003. Pgs. 42-43 |
* ''Our Loyal Band'' Dave DeLuca. Becket-Chimney Corner YMCA: 2003. Pgs. 42-43 |
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* ''Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'' [[Norman Franks]], Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0. |
* ''Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'' [[Norman Franks]], Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0. |
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* [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/putnam.php. The Aerodrome] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 00:33, 14 May 2016
David Endicott Putnam | |
|---|---|
 David Endicott Putnam, 1918 | |
| Born | December 10, 1898 Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 12, 1918 (aged 19) Limey, France |
| Buried | Lafayette Memorial du Parc de Garches, Paris, France |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | Aéronautique Militaire (France) Air Service, United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917 - 1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Aéronautique Militaire
|
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  World War I, Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously), the Croix de Guerre, with palms and stars, the Medallion Militarie, the Cross of the Legion of Honor, and the American Areo Club Medal. |
}} David Endicott Putnam (December 10, 1898 – September 12, 1918) was an American flying ace of World War I. He was known as the “Ace of Aces,” for thirteen confirmed kills, and thirty cumulative unconfirmed. He was shot by ace Georg von Hantelmann in the heart.
Life
A descendant of General Israel Putnam[1] David ‘Dave’ Endicott Putnam was born January 10, 1898 at Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts,[2] the son of Frederick H. Putnam and Jenet Hallowell.[3]
He attended Harvard University and was to graduate Harvard Class of 1920, but instead went overseas and joined with the French Foreign Legion, and American Air Service. {He was posthumously awarded a War Degree {S.B} Harvard Class of 1920}.
He joined the Lafayette Flying Corps of the French Air Service in 1917. In June of the following year, he joined the United States Air Service.[4]
Camp Becket
Putnam attended Camp Becket-in-the-Berkshires, as a camper from 1914–1916, and counselor in 1917 when he was a Harvard freshman. Swimming was one of his passions and he became captain of the Life Saving Crew and Assistant Swimming Instructor. He was also an exceptional tennis player. He was popular among campers and received the 1915 Honor Emblem; 1916 Honor Button, the camp’s highest award. He is described in the camp newspaper Seen and Heard as “Modest and unassuming, yet genial and a good mixer, of high moral standard he was without question the most popular boy in the camp.”[citation needed] Becket director, Henry W. Gibson affirms that: “The sense of fair play, of consideration for the other fellow, of physical bravery, of moral courage—all of these qualities were given a chance to express themselves in his camp life.”
Military service
Henry Gibson recalled that Putnam approached him at his tent and said, “I am going across the seas to get in the big fight.” He did indeed, by way of a cattle boat and joined the French Foreign Legion on May 31, 1917. He was transferred to the air service and trained at Avord. Putnam was assigned to Escadrille SPA 94 on 12 December 1917, and was posted to SPA 156 on 7 February 1918. While with the latter unit, he shot down four planes before being transferred to SPA 38 on 1 June 1918, where he claimed two more planes shot down. He was discharged in June 1918.
When the United States entered the war, Putnam joined the United States Air Service as a first lieutenant and briefly assumed command of the 134th Aero Squadron before joining the 139th Aero Squadron as a flight commander.
As a gesture of respect, his aviators gave him a dinner in Paris, all 150 under his command. Wine was to be served and he abstained from alcohol, to which he turned over his glass and the others followed suit. With the 139th, Putnam scored his last three victories before he was killed in action.
He wrote to Henry Gibson, director of Camp Becket-in-the-Berkshires, where Putnam had been a camper and counsellor, "Can you imagine anyone falling 20,000 feet, nearly four miles, smashing a machine to kindling wood and only getting a broken tooth out of it all? No! Well, I am afraid you are going to try, for that is just what I did yesterday morning."[clarification needed][citation needed]
Death
Just before his own death, Putnam remarked to his mother in a letter in light of a death of a friend, “Isn’t it glorious to give up your life for the great cause? What more could one ask?”
Putnam’s SPAD XIII was shot down by German ace Lt. Georg von Hantelmann.[5] He was shot in the heart. He was scheduled to return home before his death. The official cablegram read, "Lieutenant David Endicott Putnam, killed September 12, 1918; buried September 14, at Toul in a field golden with buttercups, beside Luftbury, Blair, and Thaw."
During his time abroad, Becket director, Henry W. Gibson corresponded with Putnam until the former received a returned letter in his name, with the words ‘deceased’ written on the envelope. Gibson never opened it and then he used it to illustrate in the camp chapel service, we must always never delay telling what is on our hearts before it is too late.
Awards and decorations
Putnam shot down thirteen confirmed planes, but unconfirmed totals range from twenty-six to thirty in German territory. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously), the Croix de Guerre, with palms and stars, the Médaille militaire, the Cross of the Legion of Honor,[6] and the American Areo Club Medal.
A French battleship was named after him. He was also recommended for the Medal of Honor.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "David Putnam". theaerodrome.com.
- ^ "American Aces of WW1 - David E. Putnam". wwiaviation.com (An illustrated History of World War One).
- ^ Family Search birth record
- ^ Over the Front, p. 66.
- ^ American Aces of World War 1. p. 22.
- ^ American Aces of World War 1. p. 23.
- ^ American Aces of World War 1. pp. 22–23.
Bibliography
- American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, ISBN 978-1-84176-375-0.
- Our Loyal Band Dave DeLuca. Becket-Chimney Corner YMCA: 2003. Pgs. 42-43
- Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918 Norman Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0.
- The Aerodrome