D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was an American World War I flying ace
credited with eight aerial victories.
Grace Milligan Hilton. Though born in Canada, he called Michigan home; he also lived in Youngstown, New York
.
On 28 January 1914, he married Gladys Caroline Woodruff in St. Thomas, Ontario
, Canada. They separated in 1916, after a son was born, and he went to England and joined the Royal Flying Corps in November. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 21 November 1916.
Certificate No. 4717 on 17 May 1917. He was then assigned to fly a Nieuport 17
with 29 Squadron. On 31 July 1917, he destroyed an Albatros D.V
fighter and an observation balloon. Over the next three and a half months, he proceeded to drive down out of control five more D.Vs and an observation plane, with the last victory coming on 13 November 1917. He was gazetted the Military Cross on 17 December 1917. Following his tour of combat, Fowler became a flight instructor in both England and Canada, and earned the Air Force Cross in the process.
2nd/Lt. D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft and engaging troops on the ground. While on patrol he attacked single-handed six two-seater machines, forcing one down and driving the rest back. He has driven down five other machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1918 (30645/4871)
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with eight aerial victories.
Early life
D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was the son of Francis Alfred and IsabelGrace Milligan Hilton. Though born in Canada, he called Michigan home; he also lived in Youngstown, New York
Youngstown, New York
Youngstown is a village in Niagara County, New York, USA. The population was 1,957 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
On 28 January 1914, he married Gladys Caroline Woodruff in St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
, Canada. They separated in 1916, after a son was born, and he went to England and joined the Royal Flying Corps in November. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 21 November 1916.
World War I service
Hilton earned his Royal Aero ClubRoyal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
Certificate No. 4717 on 17 May 1917. He was then assigned to fly a Nieuport 17
Nieuport 17
|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
with 29 Squadron. On 31 July 1917, he destroyed an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
fighter and an observation balloon. Over the next three and a half months, he proceeded to drive down out of control five more D.Vs and an observation plane, with the last victory coming on 13 November 1917. He was gazetted the Military Cross on 17 December 1917. Following his tour of combat, Fowler became a flight instructor in both England and Canada, and earned the Air Force Cross in the process.
Post war
Gladys Caroline Woodruff sued him for divorce via act of legislature in 1922. He was then estranged from his family until early in World War II when his son was killed in aerial combat.Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)2nd/Lt. D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft and engaging troops on the ground. While on patrol he attacked single-handed six two-seater machines, forcing one down and driving the rest back. He has driven down five other machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1918 (30645/4871)
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.
- American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1841763756, 9781841763750.
- 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 0948817542, 9780948817540.