Ashley C. McKinley
| Ashley Chadbourne McKinley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 23, 1896 Marshall, Texas |
| Died | February 11, 1970 (aged 73) Florida |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
National Guard United States Army United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916-1926 1941-1956 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
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 temperatures. He accompanied Richard E. Byrd as an aerial photographer on his expedition to the South Pole.
He joined the Missouri National Guard on June 21, 1916 and served until December 21 of the same year. Following the United States' entry into the First World War, he enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps on August 7, 1917 and became a dirigible pilot. He was commissioned as a 1st lieutenant in the Officer's Reserve Corps on December 7, 1917 to date from November 27. He was placed on active duty on December 16, 1917.
During World War I, he commanded a balloon observation company. He later taught aerial photography and surveying. He was promoted to the rank of captain on November 20, 1918, shortly after the armistice.
Due to the post war draw down, McKinley's appointment as captain was vacated and he was made a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Air Service on September 21, 1920 (to rank from July 1, 1920). He was promoted to 1st lieutenant on April 12, 1921.
On April 3, 1926, McKinley resigned from the Army to begin an aerial surveying and photography service. In 1928-1929, he was a photographer for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He was one of four men aboard the first aircraft to fly over the South Pole on November 29, 1929. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross by Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley on July 9, 1930.
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