Samuel Kaye

Samuel Kaye (8 November 1895 - 12 March 1939) was an officer in the United States Army Air Service during the Great War. He became an ace while flying with the the 94th Aero Squadron.

Background

Samuel Kaye was born in Columbus, Mississippi, on 8 November 1895.

Service

Kaye enlisted in the United States Army Air Service at the start of the Great War. He was sent to the Aviation Field School at Austin, Texas, and then to flight training at Chanute Field in Illinois. He was ordered to Europe and arrived in England in November 1917.

Kaye's first assignment was as a ferry pilot flying between Paris and London. Then, on 9 July 1918, he was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, at Saints, France. The 94th was known as the "Hat in the Ring" Squadron and was under the command of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.

From a 2011 Columbus Dispatch account by Rufus Ward:

”Rickenbacker and Kaye became life long friends. After the war Rickenbacker, who founded Eastern Airlines, would come to Columbus to visit Kaye.

“Kaye was awarded his first Distinguished Service Cross for action over the region of Epinonville, France, on Sept. 29, 1918. Lieutenants Kaye and Reed Chambers attacked a formation of 6 German planes shooting down one and forcing the others to retire back to German lines.

“The citation for Kayes second Distinguish Service Cross reads:

‘The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Samuel Kaye, Jr., United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over the region of Montfaucon and Bantheville, France, 5 October 1918. Lieutenant Kaye encountered a formation of seven enemy machines (Fokker type). Regardless of their numerical superiority, he immediately attacked and by skillful maneuvering succeeded in separating one enemy plane from its formation and after a short combat shot it down in flames.’

“On another occasion, he shot down a German Fokker that had a new Spandau model machine gun that was air cooled and able to fire 650 rounds a minute. Kaye went to the crash site and recovered the machine gun so that it could be examined. His closest call came when an ‘air shell’ shot away part of his propeller and he was forced to land.

“During aerial combat, Kaye was credited with four confirmed German Fokkers shot down and three probables. He was promoted to captain and served as the commander of the 94th Squadrons 1st Flight. At the close of the war pilots of the 94th painted their spad airplanes in distinctive colors. Sam painted his light blue with red and white polka dots. He called the airplane his "Acrobatic Easter Egg". The 94th remained in Europe for several months as the last U.S. Army Air Service squadron there.”

Death

Kaye died 12 March 1939 after an extended illness.

Commemoration

On 6 August 1941 a newly established United States Army Air Force training base, established at Columbus, Mississippi, was designated an Air Corps Advanced Flying School. On 15 September 1941, it became known as Columbus Airfield.

“No one designated or suggested a name for the new military installation until Jan. 22, 1942. Then, on Feb. 24, 1942, the War Department announced the installation would be named Kaye Field in honor of Capt. Samuel Kaye Jr., a World War I flying ace.”

The name did not last long, however. “Later, on March 27, 1942, the War Department announced that the base name had been changed from Kaye Field to Columbus Army Flying School. The name change was made to correct an issue of confusion which resulted from a similar sounding name of a nearby base, Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi. Planes often flew to the wrong airfield, and mail was even delivered to the wrong base.”

After several more name changes, the installation became Columbus Air Force Base on 24 June 1948.