Brigadier General Martinus Stenseth began his career in the Minnesota National Guard in June 1916, before the United States entered World War I. He remained in the military as a professional soldier, rising to the rank of brigadier general.
World War I
Stenseth was a corporal when he transferred into the U.S. Air Service in December. Following pilot training, he was sent to France in October 1917. Once transferred to the
28th Aero Squadron on 27 August 1918, Lieutenant Stenseth became its leading ace with eight confirmed aerial victories during the autumn of 1918, sharing two of his wins with the likes of
Thomas Cassady
Captain Thomas Gantz Cassady (1896-1972) was an American fighter pilot who served in two World Wars, and was successful in business during peacetime.
World War I
Cassady graduated from Chicago University and went to France in the Ambulance Corps ...
and four other pilots. Stenseth won the
Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries.
*Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a military decoration awarded to ...
for his gallantry on 22 October 1918, when he flew his
Spad XIII
The SPAD S.XIII is a French biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War, developed by '' Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés'' (SPAD) from the earlier and highly successful SPAD S.VII.
During early 1917, the French designer Louis ...
to the aid of a beleaguered French pilot and shot down one of six German attackers, and drove the others off, despite a nearby formation of 12 more Germans.
Post World War I
When the war ended, he remained in the army. He commanded several fighter squadrons during the interwar years. He served in the Philippines during the 1930s, and was Military Attache to Latvia and Finland during 1940. In 1941, he founded Nellis Air Force Base, which he commanded on two subsequent occasions. He retired in 1947.
See also
*
List of World War I flying aces from the United States
The following is a list of flying aces from the United States of America who served in World War I
Overview
Even before the United States entry into World War I in April 1917, many Americans volunteered to serve in the armed forces of Great Bri ...
References
Bibliography
* ''American Aces of World War I.'' Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. , .
1890 births
1979 deaths
Recipients of the Silver Star
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
American World War I flying aces
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