Colonel Merian Cooper - In class of 1914 at Naval Academy fired out in senior year. Went to sea and was shanghaied into the Austrian Army at Trieste in 1915. Escaped and returned to become a Captain in the Georgia National Guard in the Mexican Border War. Resigned and entered our Air Corps as a cadet in 1917. Flying training at Mineola - Advance flying training at Issoudum - bombing school at Glermont - Ferrand. Went to the front with the 11th American Squadron, flying DH-4 as a 1st Lt. Shot down in flames over Germany severely burned on face and hands saving his wounded observer; freed from German prison hospital by Armistice. Formed KOSCIUSKO Squadron to fight for the Poles. Short down over Russia; several times near execution, but scarred hands made Russians spare him as a laborer. After a year escaped to Poland where he was received as a National Hero and given the Polish Medal of Honor. Re-entered American service in 1941, became first executive officer of A-2, then went to China for 11 months as Chief of Staff for General Chennault. Now Chief of Staff of the Far Eastern Air Forces.
