Jerry Vasconcells
Encyclopedia
Captain Jerry Cox Vasconcells was a World War I
flying ace
credited with six aerial victories. Vasconcells was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame
in its first ceremony of 1969.
on December 3, 1892. He attended East High School, in Denver, Colorado
, attended Dartmouth College
, and then graduated from the University of Denver
Law School.
Vasconcells joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at the onset of World War I
, and was sent to France in 1917 to fly combat. While flying the SPAD biplane in combat, he was shot down, but with skilled flying he landed in "no man's land
" and was rescued by allied soldiers. He became an "Ace
" with a score of 6 airplanes and two balloons. His WWI flying was described in the classic book "War Birds". He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and other honors from both the French and American governments. Jerry Vasconcells was a Flight Commander for the 27th Aero Squadron of the 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces(AEF) in 1918; and by wars end he was made Commander of the 185th Aero Squadron, the first night pursuit squadron of the AEF.
Vasconcells military career included the associations with other renown aviators, including Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
, Gen. Billy Mitchell and Frank Luke
. In 1919 he acquired a Military Aviator flight rating and was promoted to Major. Upon returning to the United States
he had numerous health issues relating to his military flying. Jerry Vasconcells is Colorado's only Ace from World War 1. His association with Mayor Benjamin F. Stapleton
they establish Denver's Municipal Airfield with scheduled flight service. During his commercial aviation career in Denver, he served two terms as chairman of the Colorado Aeronautics Commission, and helped organize the first Colorado Air Meet in 1921.
Jerry helped to organize and the create the Quiet Birdmen Association. He died at his home in Denver, 1950.
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...
flying ace
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 six aerial victories. Vasconcells was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame
Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame
The Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame was established by the Colorado Aviation Historical Society in Denver, Colorado, USA, on November 11, 1969 for the State of Colorado. The original and first ten Colorado aviation pioneers were inducted into the Hall on that date. Guest speaker for the event was...
in its first ceremony of 1969.
History
Jerry Vasconcells was born in Lyons, KansasLyons, Kansas
Lyons is a city in and the county seat of Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,739.-History:Although Coronado's exact route across the plains is uncertain and has been widely disputed, he and his men are thought to have camped near the present...
on December 3, 1892. He attended East High School, in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, attended Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, and then graduated from the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
Law School.
Vasconcells joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at the onset of 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...
, and was sent to France in 1917 to fly combat. While flying the SPAD biplane in combat, he was shot down, but with skilled flying he landed in "no man's land
No man's land
No man's land is a term for land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. The term was originally used to define a contested territory or a dumping ground for refuse between fiefdoms...
" and was rescued by allied soldiers. He became an "Ace
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...
" with a score of 6 airplanes and two balloons. His WWI flying was described in the classic book "War Birds". He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and other honors from both the French and American governments. Jerry Vasconcells was a Flight Commander for the 27th Aero Squadron of the 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces(AEF) in 1918; and by wars end he was made Commander of the 185th Aero Squadron, the first night pursuit squadron of the AEF.
Vasconcells military career included the associations with other renown aviators, including Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.-Early...
, Gen. Billy Mitchell and Frank Luke
Frank Luke
Frank Luke Jr. was an American fighter ace, ranking second among U.S. Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker in number of aerial victories during World War I . Frank Luke was the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor...
. In 1919 he acquired a Military Aviator flight rating and was promoted to Major. Upon returning to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
he had numerous health issues relating to his military flying. Jerry Vasconcells is Colorado's only Ace from World War 1. His association with Mayor Benjamin F. Stapleton
Benjamin F. Stapleton
Benjamin Franklin Stapleton was the Mayor of Denver, Colorado for two periods , the first from 1923–1931 and the second from 1935–1947. He also served as the Democratic Colorado State Auditor from 1933–35.-Early years:He was born November 12, 1869, in Paintsville, Kentucky...
they establish Denver's Municipal Airfield with scheduled flight service. During his commercial aviation career in Denver, he served two terms as chairman of the Colorado Aeronautics Commission, and helped organize the first Colorado Air Meet in 1921.
Jerry helped to organize and the create the Quiet Birdmen Association. He died at his home in Denver, 1950.
Sources of information
Further reading- "Terror of the Autumn Skies: The True Story of Frank Luke, America's Rogue Ace of World War I", 2008, by Blaine L. Pardoe, Skyhorse Publishing, NY, NY; ISBN 978-1-60239-252-6