William Portwood Erwin
William Portwood Erwin, 1918
Nickname(s)Bill
Born(1895-10-18)October 18, 1895
Ryan, Oklahoma, USA
DiedAugust 19, 1927(1927-08-19) (aged 31) (disappeared)
Pacific Ocean
Allegiance United States
Service/branchAir Service, United States Army
RankLieutenant
UnitAir Service, United States Army
Battles/wars World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross, French Croix de Guerre

Lieutenant William Portwood Erwin (18 October 1895 - 19 August 1927) was an American World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1] On 19 August 1927, he disappeared during the Dole Air Race from Oakland, California to Hawaii.

Early life

William Portwood Erwin was the son of W. A. Erwin of Chicago.[2] The younger Erwin, born elsewhere, was raised primarily in Chicago. Two sources claim he was born in Amarillo, Texas.[1][3]

World War I

1st Aero Squadron Salmson 2A2 in a hangar in France.

Erwin was assigned to the 1st Aero Squadron on 19 July 1918. As a Salmson 2A2 pilot, he scored his victories between 15 September and 22 October 1918; half of them were with gunner Arthur Easterbrook.[3]

Postwar

A Frontiers of Flight Museum display replica of the Dallas Spirit.

Erwin is believed to have died during the Dole Air Race between Oakland, California and Hawaii.[3] He flew the Dallas Spirit, a custom aircraft built by the Swallow Airplane Company on credit for the attempt. Erwin failed to return from a search for two other missing competitors, the Miss Doran and The Golden Eagle, and is presumed drowned 19 August 1927.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 American Aces of World War 1. p. 84.
  2. ↑ The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/erwin.php Retrieved on 11 April 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 37.
  4. ↑ "William Portwood Erwin". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.

Bibliography

  • American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, ISBN 978-1-84176-375-0.
  • 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.
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