Reed McKinley Chambers was a pioneer in the American Aviation industry, as a
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 ...
in World War I, as founder of an early airline, and as founder and chairman of America's first aviation insurance company.
Early life and military service
Major Reed McKinley Chambers (1894-1972) was born August 18, 1894, in
Onaga, Kansas
Onaga is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 679.
History
Onaga was platted in 1877 by the railroad. Onaga is derived from a Potawatomi personal Indian name (Onago) and ...
. In 1914 he joined the Tennessee National Guard and served in the Mexican border campaign of 1916.
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Chambers received a transfer to the Army Signal Corps as an aviator. He served in the
94th Aero Pursuit Squadron, along with American Ace of Aces
Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker or Eddie Rickenbacker (October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was an American fighter pilot in World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient.[Florida Airways
Florida Airways was an American airline. Founded in part by Eddie Rickenbacker and based in the state of Florida, the airline served the southeastern United States during the mid-1920s.
History
Florida Airways was founded by Eddie Rickenbacke ...]
, which in 1926 received the first private airmail contract awarded by the U.S. Government. After the airline's uninsured aircraft suffered a series of accidents and damage caused by hurricanes, the airline declared bankruptcy in 1927. As a result of this loss, Chambers teamed with David Beebe and the two founded th
United States Aircraft Insurance Group the nation's first aviation insurance company. The security provided by this company ensured the development and testing of such pioneering aircraft as the Douglas DC-3, the Boeing 707, the B-52 jet bomber, and the General Dynamics F-111A.
While flying second seat in a
Convair F-106 Delta Dart
The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft of the United States Air Force from the 1960s through to the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it proved to be the last specialist interceptor i ...
in 1968, Chambers broke the sound barrier.
Reed Chambers died in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, on January 16, 1972.
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 B ...
*
Barber's pole
A barber's pole is a type of sign used by barbers to signify the place or shop where they perform their craft. The trade sign is, by a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, a staff or pole with a helix of colored stripes (often red and wh ...
—notes regarding Chambers' aircraft.
References
Bibliography
* ''American Aces of World War I.'' Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. , .
* ''The Hat in the Ring Gang: The Combat History of the 94th Aero Squadron in World War I''. Charles Woolley. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, PA: 2001. , .
online link
Reed chambers at the aerodrome forum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chambers, Reed
Aviators from Kansas
1894 births
1972 deaths
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
American World War I flying aces
People from Pottawatomie County, Kansas