Ashley C. McKinley
Encyclopedia
Ashley Chadbourne McKinley (June 23, 1896 in Marshall, Texas
- February 11, 1970) was an accomplished American
aerial photographer
and Colonel
in the U.S. Army Air Corps who helped pioneer aviation at subzero
temperature
s. He accompanied Richard E. Byrd as an aerial photographer on his expedition to the South Pole
.
He joined the Missouri National Guard
in 1916. He enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps
and became a dirigible pilot. During World War I
, he commanded a balloon observation company. He later taught aerial photography
and surveying
. He attained the rank of Captain.
In 1926, McKinley left army service to begin and aerial surveying and photography service. In 1928-1929, he was a photographer for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross
in 1930.
In 1941, he rejoined the Army Air Corps. He was in charge of the cold-weather operations of the Army Air Force at Ladd Field in Fairbanks, Alaska
. McKinley was the first person to suggest that U.S. aircraft
be constructed to operate in subzero temperatures and that the Air Force should build a facility to test aircraft in subzero temperatures. He was transferred to Eglin Field
for the construction of the facility.
After retiring from the Army in 1947, he was a civilian consultant for Admiral Richard Byrd
. He died in Florida and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
In June 1971, the McKinley Climatic Laboratory
at Eglin Air Force Base
was named in his honor.
Marshall, Texas
Marshall is a city in Harrison County in the northeastern corner of Texas. Marshall is a major cultural and educational center in East Texas and the tri-state area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Marshall was about 23,523...
- February 11, 1970) was an accomplished American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aerial photographer
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
and Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the U.S. Army Air Corps who helped pioneer aviation at subzero
Subzero
Subzero literally means "beneath zero." As such, it is usually used for negative numbers; the most common usage refers to negative temperature.Subzero can also refer to:-Fictional characters:...
temperature
Temperature
Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...
s. He accompanied Richard E. Byrd as an aerial photographer on his expedition to the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
.
He joined the Missouri National Guard
Missouri National Guard
The Missouri National Guard consists of the:*Missouri Army National Guard*Missouri Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History...
in 1916. He enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps
United States Army Signal Corps
The United States Army Signal Corps develops, tests, provides, and manages communications and information systems support for the command and control of combined arms forces. It was established in 1860, the brainchild of United States Army Major Albert J. Myer, and has had an important role from...
and became a dirigible pilot. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he commanded a balloon observation company. He later taught aerial photography
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
and surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
. He attained the rank of Captain.
In 1926, McKinley left army service to begin and aerial surveying and photography service. In 1928-1929, he was a photographer for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
in 1930.
In 1941, he rejoined the Army Air Corps. He was in charge of the cold-weather operations of the Army Air Force at Ladd Field in Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
. McKinley was the first person to suggest that U.S. aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
be constructed to operate in subzero temperatures and that the Air Force should build a facility to test aircraft in subzero temperatures. He was transferred to Eglin Field
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
for the construction of the facility.
After retiring from the Army in 1947, he was a civilian consultant for Admiral Richard Byrd
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., USN was a naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics...
. He died in Florida and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
In June 1971, the McKinley Climatic Laboratory
McKinley Climatic Laboratory
The McKinley Climatic Laboratory is a both an active laboratory and a historic site located in Building 440 on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The laboratory is part of the 46th Test Wing. In addition to Air Force testing, it can be used by other US government agencies and private industry.On...
at Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
was named in his honor.
Books and film
- McKinley authored a 1929 book with Athos Maxwell Narraway, Applied aerial photography
- McKinley appeared in the 1930 documentaryDocumentary filmDocumentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
With Byrd at the South PoleWith Byrd at the South PoleWith Byrd at the South Pole is a 1930 documentary film about Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd and his 1st quest to the South Pole. Which also was at Little America-Exploration Base It is narrated by Floyd Gibbons. It won at the 3rd Academy Awards for Best Cinematography.-Cast:*Richard E....