Lieutenant Jesse Orin Creech was a World War I

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...

credited with seven aerial victories. He shot down the final victory of the war for his squadron. Creech lived in Washington, DC before the war began and had studied at the

University of Kansas The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and several satellite campuses, research and educational centers, medical centers, and classes across the state of Kansas. Tw ...

and

Cornell University Cornell University is a private statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was founded with the intention to teach an ...

. He joined the USAAS, and was posted to the 148th Aero Squadron as a

Sopwith Camel The Sopwith Camel is a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter aircraft that was introduced on the Western Front in 1917. It was developed by the Sopwith Aviation Company as a successor to the Sopwith Pup and became one of the b ...

pilot in Summer of 1918. Between 15 August and 28 October 1918, he destroyed six enemy airplanes and drove one down out of control, including one shared with

Field Eugene Kindley Captain Field Eugene Kindley (13 March 1896 – 2 February 1920) was an American aviator and World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories. Early life Field Eugene Kindley was born at Pea Ridge in northwestern ...

Honors and awards

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jesse Orin Creech, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Cambrai, France, September 26, 1918; south of Masnieres, France, September 28, 1918; and near Jenlain, France, October 28, 1918. Being on enemy patrol on September 26, 1918, when a large number of enemy airplanes were encountered, in the fight that ensued Lieutenant Creech shot down two of the enemy planes and save the commander of the patrol from being shot down. On October 28, 1918, near Jenlain, France, Lieutenant Creech's flight of 5 planes was attacked by 8 Fokker biplanes. In this encounter Lieutenant Creech also shot down 2 enemy planes. On September 28, 1918, south of Masnieres, France, Lieutenant Creech with his flight attacked an enemy balloon and compelled the observers to jump. Enemy troops were then attacked in close formation, causing many casualties and scattering all the troops. In all of these encounters Lieutenant Creech displayed high courage, great valor, and utter disregard of danger. He constantly went to the assistance of members of his flight and exposed himself with great fearlessness, and yet with all displayed keen judgment and tireless energy. He proved himself a leader of unusual ability, and was a constant inspiration to the members of his command. (General Orders No. 19, W.D., 1926) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) On 28 October 1918, this officer's flight attacked seven Fokker biplanes; after shooting one off his Flight Commander's tail, he attacked another which crashed NW of Jenlain. On another occasion in a general engagement, the EA dived through a cloud and Lt. Creech followed him and succeeded in getting another burst which caused the EA to crash near Bourlon Wood. This officer has served over four months with his Squadron and has destroyed six EA and driven down one out of control. He has often acted as patrol leader and shown great judgement and skill, and his gallantry and devotion to duty have at all times been very noteworthy.(''Supplement to the London Gazette'')

References

Bibliography

* ''American Aces of World War I.'' Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. , . {{DEFAULTSORT:Creech, Jesse 1895 births 1948 deaths Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) American World War I flying aces Cornell University alumni Aviators from Kentucky

Honors and awards

See also

References

Bibliography