Elliott White Springs
| Elliott White Springs | |
|---|---|
Elliott White Springs, 1918
|
|
| Born |
July 31, 1896 Lancaster, South Carolina |
| Died | August 15, 1959 (aged 63) Memorial Hospital, New York City, New York |
| Buried at | Unity Cemetery, Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) Air Service, United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |
Royal Air Force |
| Battles/wars |
  World War I World War II |
Royal Air Force
Air Service, United States Army
Elliott White Springs (July 31, 1896 – October 15, 1959), was a South Carolina businessman and an American flying ace of World War I, credited with shooting down 16 enemy aircraft.
Springs was born to Col. Leroy Springs and Grace Allison White Springs. His father was a noted South Carolina textiles manufacturer. Springs attended Culver Military Academy, and then Princeton University.
Springs enlisted in the United States Army in the autumn of 1917. He was sent to England to train with the Royal Air Force, and was selected by the Canadian flying ace Billy Bishop to fly the S.E.5 with 85 Squadron over France. After claiming three destroyed and one 'out of control' with 85 Squadron, Springs was shot down on 27 June 1918 by Lt. Josef Raesch of Jasta 43. After recovering from wounds received, he was reassigned to the U.S. Air Service's 148th Aero Squadron, flying the Sopwith Camel under the operational control of the RAF's 65th Wing.
On 3 August 1918, while escorting Airco DH.9 bombers, Springs shot down three Fokker D.VII scouts in flames. On 22 August 1918 he attacked five Fokker DVIIs, shooting down one into a wood near Velu. He sent another enemy aircraft 'out of control'. On 22 August 1918 he engaged three Fokker DVIIs, and Springs claimed two shot down, with one 'out of control'.
By 24 September 1918 Springs had claimed 10 victories destroyed, 2 shared destroyed and 4 driven down 'out of control'. He had shared three wins with such squadron mates as Lieutenants Henry Clay and Orville Ralston. Also about this time Springs rose to command the 148th as it and the 17th Aero Squadron joined the 4th Pursuit Group.
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