On This Date in Minnesota History: May 21

May 21, 1917 – Willis Haviland of St. Paul, an aviator in the La Fayette Escadrille, has been awarded the war cross with a palm in recognition of his services in bringing down enemy machines. News of the honor given the 26-year-old young man was contained in dispatches from Paris today.

Haviland went to Europe as an ambulance driver 18 months ago. When he finished his six months’ service in the ambulance corps, he went into the French flying corps. His mother, Mrs. Grace N. Haviland, recently went to Paris to be near her son.

On April 30, Haviland engaged in battle with German air machines at a height of 4,000 feet. After a spirited fight one German plane was riddled with bullets and collapsed.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “St. Paul Boy Wins French War Cross for nerve in Air. Brings German Plane Down After Battle at Height of 4,000 Feet.”; May 22, 1917; p. 4.

French War Cross with Palm
http://nyrfan25.tripod.com/medals.html

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