Theodore Gordon Ellyson: Difference between revisions
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==Life & Career== | ==Life & Career== | ||
Ellyson was promoted to the rank of {{LieutUS}} on 16 September, 1910.{{USOfficerReg1911|pp. 38-39}} With the new year came a remarkable new assignment: [[Washington Irving Chambers|Washington I. Chambers]], the officer place in charge of aviation matters, chose Ellyson to take up Glenn Curtiss's offer of flight training a single naval officer free of charge.{{Jackrabbits|pp. 9-10}} Chambers wrote to Ellyson: | |||
<blockquote>You were selected because you were not regarded as a crank, but as a well-balanced man who would be able to assist in building up a system of aviation training in the Navy. I've no doubt you see the importance of avoiding the hippodrome part of the business and will not do stunts just for the sake of notoriety or to thrill the crowd.<ref>Quoted in ''Jackrabbits to Jets''. p. 17.</ref></blockquote> | |||
By the end of March 1911, Ellyson's training had been completed successfully, and Curtiss wrote to [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[George von Lengerke Meyer|Meyer]] that: | |||
<blockquote>I have the honor to report that Lieutenant Ellyson is now competent to care for and operate Curtiss airplanes and instruct others in the operation of these machines. Mr. Ellyson is a hard worker and has acquired considerable knowledge of the art of aviation. He has been especially successful in operating the machine and is easily capable of qualifying for a pilot's license. It is a pleasure for me to recommend Mr. Ellyson as a man who will make a success in aviation.<ref>Quoted in ''Jackrabbits to Jets''. p. 20.</ref></blockquote> | |||
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Ellyson was promoted to the rank of {{LCommUS}} on | Ellyson was promoted to the rank of {{LCommUS}} on | ||
Revision as of 21:00, 22 July 2015
Theodore Gordon Ellyson (27 February, 1885 – 27 February, 1928) served in the United States Navy. He became the first American naval aviator in the spring of 1911.
Life & Career
Ellyson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 16 September, 1910.[1] With the new year came a remarkable new assignment: Washington I. Chambers, the officer place in charge of aviation matters, chose Ellyson to take up Glenn Curtiss's offer of flight training a single naval officer free of charge.[2] Chambers wrote to Ellyson:
You were selected because you were not regarded as a crank, but as a well-balanced man who would be able to assist in building up a system of aviation training in the Navy. I've no doubt you see the importance of avoiding the hippodrome part of the business and will not do stunts just for the sake of notoriety or to thrill the crowd.[3]
By the end of March 1911, Ellyson's training had been completed successfully, and Curtiss wrote to Secretary of the Navy Meyer that:
I have the honor to report that Lieutenant Ellyson is now competent to care for and operate Curtiss airplanes and instruct others in the operation of these machines. Mr. Ellyson is a hard worker and has acquired considerable knowledge of the art of aviation. He has been especially successful in operating the machine and is easily capable of qualifying for a pilot's license. It is a pleasure for me to recommend Mr. Ellyson as a man who will make a success in aviation.[4]
See Also
Bibliography
- Sudsbury, Elretta (1967). Jackrabbits to Jets: The History of North Island, San Diego, California. San Diego: Hall & Ojena Publications.
Papers
- Papers in possession of Naval Historical Center, Washington, D.C.
- Papers in possession of the United States Library of Congress
Service Records
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of U.S.S. J. Fred Talbott 30 Jun, 1919 |
Succeeded by Frank D. Pryor |
Footnotes
