Frank Wead
| Frank Wilbur Wead | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Spig, Sparrow |
| Born |
24 October 1895 Peoria, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | 15 November 1947 (aged 52) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Illinois |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1916–26, 1941–44 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Spouse(s) | Minnie Louise (Bryant) Hutchinson (m. 1916) |
| Relations |
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| Other work | Screenwriter |
Frank Wilbur "Spig" Wead (24 October 1895 – 15 November 1947) was a U.S. Navy aviator who helped promote United States Naval aviation from its inception through World War II. Commander Wead was a recognized authority on early aviation. Following a crippling spinal injury in 1926, Wead was placed on the retired list. In the 1930s, he became a screenwriter, becoming involved in over 30 movies. He also published several books, short stories and magazine articles. During World War II, he returned to active duty. He initially worked in a planning role, but later undertook sea duty in the Pacific, where he saw action against the Japanese in 1943–44 before being placed on the retired list in mid-1945.
Frank Wilbur Wead was born to Samuel De Forest Wead and Grace (Bestor) Wead on 24 October 1895, in Ward No. 5 of Peoria Township, Peoria, Illinois. Frank graduated from Peoria High School.
The Wead family had a strong background of service to the American nation. The Weads of Massachusetts were represented in one of the Committees of Safety established during the American Revolutionary War, and also as patriots in the Colonial Wars, forming part of the General Society of Colonial Wars during 1607–1763. The Connecticut Weads were also patriots of the American Revolutionary War. The Wead families were prominent in Illinois and Vermont in several fields during the 19th and 20th centuries: politics, law, education and as supporters of the Union during the American Civil War, during which one branch of the Wead lineage became actively involved with the United States Sanitary Commission.
On 16 July 1912, Frank Wilbur Wead (aged 16) was admitted into the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1916. His classmates included John D. Price, Ralph Eugene Davison and Calvin T. Durgin. The Class of 1916 graduated on 29 May 1916.
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