Edward Meeker Haight

Edward Meeker Haight

Edward Meeker Haight, 1918
Born 30 May 1896
Astoria, Long Island, New York, USA
Died 5 December 1975
Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch 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
Other work Last World War I ace to serve in U.S. Air Force

Colonel Edward Meeker Haight 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]

Haight scored his victories in just over a month, from 28 September through 30 October 1918,[2] while flying a Spad.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5]

His son 2nd Lt Edward Haight was Missing in action in 1944 during World War II.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/haight.php Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  2. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/haight.php Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  3. ↑ SPAD XII/XIII aces of World War I. p. 85.
  4. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/newspaper-articles/31586-last-world-war-i-ace-retires-air-force.html (Brownsville Herald newspaper, 3 May 1954.
  5. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/newspaper-articles/31586-last-world-war-i-ace-retires-air-force.html (Brownsville Herald newspaper, 3 May 1954.
  6. ↑ ABMC record for Edward Haight
  7. ↑ Edward Haight at Find a grave memorial

Bibliography

SPAD XII/XIII Aces of World War I. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-316-0, ISBN 978-1-84176-316-3.

External links


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