TRANSCRIBED FROM THE GRAVETTE NEWS HERALD JANUARY 4, 1918 P. 1
I wonder how everything is at home and if they ever think of the boy who went away. I am indeed quite a distance away; not only in miles for some days I am only 8 to 10 thousand feet up in the air, all alone with the exception of a roaring engine and many levers and gauges upon which I rely to keep going. But it does my heart good to know that I am training to defend the greatest country on earth and to cause the happiness of the free born Americans to continue for years to come. I have enjoyed many happy hours at Gravette in the grand old U.S.A. and now I am going to show my appreciation by fighting for her. And I am glad to think (so far as I know) I am the first Gravette boy to cross the water and the only one in the U.S. Aviation Corps. Am glad I entered when I did and have been able to make an officer; for we receive better pay now, $100 per month and soon $250, and food.
The aviation is the best branch of service…. I would not give up flying for anything. It is not as dangerous as people think…. About all who are killed is due to carelessness. Hardly ever is a man to shot to death; they usually come to death by falling. One boy fell 1000 feet, but only sustained a broken arm. I was over him when he lost control of his machine; I could see him falling until he ran into a building. I landed at once and went to him.
I only have three more hours flying to do and will be transferred to a squadron to learn to do my stunts, such as looping, and nose dives. Here I also learn the use of machine gun. Don’t worry about me; I am quite alright and shall return to Gravette after the war. Tell everybody hello, and to do their bit for we have a big job to wipe up the Huns.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Field E. Kindley. Field Eugene Kindley was born on March 13, 1896 near Pea Ridge, Arkansas and died on February 1, 1920 at Kelly Field at San Antonio, Texas during a practice flight for a demonstration for General Pershing scheduled for the next day. He is buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas. He spent much of his early life in Benton County, Arkansas. While living in Kansas he enlisted in the National Guard where he learned to fly. He was one of the first pilots to be sent to England for further training when the US entered World War 1 in 1917. He initially served in England’s Sixth-fifty Squadron. He was later assigned to the 148th Squadron when it was formed by the US in 1918. He later assumed command of the unit and was promoted to Captain in 1919. During his World War 1 service he shot down 12 enemy aircraft, making him the ranking ace from Arkansas. He received the British Distinguish Flying Cross, and the US Distinguished Service Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster.
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD
I wonder how everything is at home and if they ever think of the boy who went away. I am indeed quite a distance away; not only in miles for some days I am only 8 to 10 thousand feet up in the air, all alone with the exception of a roaring engine and many levers and gauges upon which I rely to keep going. But it does my heart good to know that I am training to defend the greatest country on earth and to cause the happiness of the free born Americans to continue for years to come. I have enjoyed many happy hours at Gravette in the grand old U.S.A. and now I am going to show my appreciation by fighting for her. And I am glad to think (so far as I know) I am the first Gravette boy to cross the water and the only one in the U.S. Aviation Corps. Am glad I entered when I did and have been able to make an officer; for we receive better pay now, $100 per month and soon $250, and food.
The aviation is the best branch of service…. I would not give up flying for anything. It is not as dangerous as people think…. About all who are killed is due to carelessness. Hardly ever is a man to shot to death; they usually come to death by falling. One boy fell 1000 feet, but only sustained a broken arm. I was over him when he lost control of his machine; I could see him falling until he ran into a building. I landed at once and went to him.
I only have three more hours flying to do and will be transferred to a squadron to learn to do my stunts, such as looping, and nose dives. Here I also learn the use of machine gun. Don’t worry about me; I am quite alright and shall return to Gravette after the war. Tell everybody hello, and to do their bit for we have a big job to wipe up the Huns.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Field E. Kindley. Field Eugene Kindley was born on March 13, 1896 near Pea Ridge, Arkansas and died on February 1, 1920 at Kelly Field at San Antonio, Texas during a practice flight for a demonstration for General Pershing scheduled for the next day. He is buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas. He spent much of his early life in Benton County, Arkansas. While living in Kansas he enlisted in the National Guard where he learned to fly. He was one of the first pilots to be sent to England for further training when the US entered World War 1 in 1917. He initially served in England’s Sixth-fifty Squadron. He was later assigned to the 148th Squadron when it was formed by the US in 1918. He later assumed command of the unit and was promoted to Captain in 1919. During his World War 1 service he shot down 12 enemy aircraft, making him the ranking ace from Arkansas. He received the British Distinguish Flying Cross, and the US Distinguished Service Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster.
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD