Frank Hale
Encyclopedia
Captain Frank Lucien Hale was a World War I flying ace
credited with seven aerial victories. He later accompanied Charles Lindbergh
in a transcontinental flight.
because of disciplinary problems. In 1914, he joined D Troop, 4th Cavalry, New York National Guard. He served on the Mexican border during 1916, with the Ambulance Corps. He was rejected by the U. S. air service, so he joined the Royal Flying Corps
at Toronto in June 1917. Between 25 August and 27 September 1918, he used a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a to destroy four Fokker D.VII
s and drive down three others out of control.
He then came home to become general manager of Curtiss Flying Service. He accompanied Charles Lindberg on a transcontinental flight.
In 1940, he opened an auto dealership in Syracuse. As World War II loomed, Hale joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. By 1943, he was in England serving with the 8th Air Force, but a heart condition invalided him out. He then went to work with the Bell Aircraft Corporation. He died of a heart attack on 7 June 1944.
Lieut. Frank Lucien Hale. (FRANCE)
A brilliant and very gallant officer who never hesitates to attack the enemy however superior in numbers. On 27 September, Lieut. Hale, single-handed, attacked a formation of ten Fokker biplanes who were manoeuvring to attack one of our bombing formations; engaging one of the Fokkers, he drove it down out of control, and it was seen to break up in the air. By this gallant action the enemy were diverted from their objective. In the combat Lieut. Hale's machine and engine were badly damaged; despite this, he, on his return journey, attacked a solitary Fokker and drove it down out of control. This officer has accounted for eight enemy aircraft. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919) (31170/2040)
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 seven aerial victories. He later accompanied Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
in a transcontinental flight.
Early life and World War I service
Hale was native to Syracuse, New York, although he later lived in Arkansas. He dropped out of Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, New YorkFayetteville, New York
Fayetteville is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 4,190. The village is named after Lafayette, a national hero of both France and the United States...
because of disciplinary problems. In 1914, he joined D Troop, 4th Cavalry, New York National Guard. He served on the Mexican border during 1916, with the Ambulance Corps. He was rejected by the U. S. air service, so he joined the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
at Toronto in June 1917. Between 25 August and 27 September 1918, he used a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a to destroy four Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
s and drive down three others out of control.
Postwar
He remained in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation.He then came home to become general manager of Curtiss Flying Service. He accompanied Charles Lindberg on a transcontinental flight.
In 1940, he opened an auto dealership in Syracuse. As World War II loomed, Hale joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. By 1943, he was in England serving with the 8th Air Force, but a heart condition invalided him out. He then went to work with the Bell Aircraft Corporation. He died of a heart attack on 7 June 1944.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Lieut. Frank Lucien Hale. (FRANCE)
A brilliant and very gallant officer who never hesitates to attack the enemy however superior in numbers. On 27 September, Lieut. Hale, single-handed, attacked a formation of ten Fokker biplanes who were manoeuvring to attack one of our bombing formations; engaging one of the Fokkers, he drove it down out of control, and it was seen to break up in the air. By this gallant action the enemy were diverted from their objective. In the combat Lieut. Hale's machine and engine were badly damaged; despite this, he, on his return journey, attacked a solitary Fokker and drove it down out of control. This officer has accounted for eight enemy aircraft. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919) (31170/2040)