James Knowles (aviator)
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Lieutenant James Knowles Jr. (December 27, 1896 – February 20, 1971) was an American World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was one of the final aces in the war.[1][2]
United StatesJames Knowles Jr. | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant James Knowles, Jr, 95th Aero Squadron, 1918 | |
| Born | December 27, 1896 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | February 20, 1971 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
Branch | Air Service, United States Army |
Service years | 1917 - 1919 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | 95th Aero Squadron |
Conflicts |  World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, French Croix de Guerre, Aero Club of America Medal |
Knowles was a Harvard student who was accepted into the U.S. Army Air Service in April 1917. In June 1918, he reported to the 95th Aero Squadron for duty[3] as a Spad XIII pilot. Between 25 July and 8 November 1918, he shot down three German Fokker D.VIIs and two Rumpler reconnaissance planes; one of the latter victories was shared with Sumner Sewall and three other pilots.[4] He came out of the war as an ace with the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Croix de Guerre, and the Aero Club of America Medal.[5]
