Marine Corps Aviation 1912-1917

Dothan, Alabama (DMCE)- Reveille, reveille, rise and shine ladies.  Maybe you have the desire to become a Marine, then head down to the Marine Corps Recruiter’s station in downtown Dothan.  That being said, it’s time to learn something about the history of Marine Corps aviation.  Alright listen up Marine Corps history buffs out there in Dothan-land, and beyond, you think you got what it takes to learn more about my beloved Corps?  Well then let's getting rolling and learn something today!  That's an order!  (This Examiner will always try to bring you accurate history of the Corps.) 

Pre-flight Years

The Navy's interest in "heavier than air flying machines" was first expressed in 1898.  Assistant of the Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt was impressed by reports of experiments by Professor Samuel P. Langley.  The reports suggested the promotion of an aeronautics in the military.  Assistant Secretary Roosevelt was met with much criticism and doubt.  It wasn't until 1910, and only after the Army bought their first plane from the Wright brothers that the Navy took action.  They assigned Captain Washington Irving Chambers to give an account about possible Naval Aviation.

Washington worked hard to spark the Navy's interest in aviation.  He made friends with Glenn Curtiss, an early aircraft builder and inventor.  Washington's hard work paid off on 14 November 1910 when an aircraft took flight off the deck of a ship.  A platform had been built on the ship and the first recorded flight from sea made it's mark on history.  Two weeks after this historic event Curtiss made an offer the Navy could not and dared not refuse.  His offer was to teach a naval officer to fly at no cost to the Navy.  The Navy accepted the offer and Lieutenant Theodore G. Ellyson became the Navy's first pilot.

Early History of Marine Corps Aviation

When First Lieutenant Alfred Cunningham reported for duty on 22 May 1912 at the Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, he officially became the Corps first aviator.  Three other aviators soon joined Cunningham at the camp.  Lieutenants T. G. Ellyson, John Rodgers, and J. H. Towers, were responsible for the camp's three aircraft.  In June 1915 First Lt. Bernard L. Smith, Second Lt. William M. McIlvain, and First Lieutenant Francis T. Evans reported to camp ready for duty.  The following year they were joined by First Lt. Roy Gieger who had gotten his flying start in Pensacola in 1916.

Ellyson, Rodgers, Towers and Geiger became the nucleus of Marine Aviation.  In 1914 First Lt. Bernard Smith was ordered to Culbera, Puerto Rico to begin the Marine Corps section of the Naval Aviation.  This was a realization of the Marine's dream to separate from Naval Aviation.  In 1915 the Commandant of the Marine Corps gave the green light for the creation of a Marine Corps Aviation Company.  This company consisted of 10 officers and 40 enlisted men.  On 17 February 1917 the commission of the Marine Aviation Company came at the Advanced Base Force at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Aerial Scouting and Spinouts

In 1914 during a combined forces exercise in Puerto Rico, Lieutenants Smith and McIlvain flew scouting and reconnaissance missions in a C-3 Curtiss flying boat.  This was one of the first contributions to flight by these heroic men.  The two aviators flew officers over the island to "show the ease and speed of aerial reconnaissance and range of vision open to the eyes of the aerial scout."  It was later recommended by Smith that the Corps establish an advanced base Marine unit.  This unit would be composed of five aviators and 20 enlisted men who would maintain the aircraft.

In 1917 First Lt. Francis T. Evans became one of the first aviators to recover a plane from a spin.  Before his discovery, going into a deadly tailspin meant certain death for the aviator.  Evans climbed to 3,500 feet in his seaplane, then dove trying to pick up enough speed to get "over the top" of the loop.  His first attempt failed but he kept trying until he successfully accomplished what he set out to do.  It wasn't until 1936 he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his discovery, almost twenty years earlier.  Evan's brave and historic discovery, at the risk of his own life, saved many aviator's lives.

The next article will continue the history of Marine aviation so stand-by and remember Semper Fidelis, that’s Latin for “always faithful,” who said Marines weren’t educated!

"For over 221 (235 now) years our Corps has done two things for this great Nation.  We make Marines, and we win battles."
-Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC (CMC); 5 May 1997

Alright ladies to get more of the “scuttlebutt” on the Corps click that orange button above!  That's an order private!  To which you reply, "aye, aye sir!"

The information gathered for this article was summarized after reading portions of historical data on the following sites, Marine Corps Aviation (The Early Years, 1912-1940), and History of Marine Corps Aviation.