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Elliot
Springs
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| Country: |
United States |
| Born: |
31 July 1896 |
| Place of Birth: |
Fort Mill, South Carolina |
| Deceased: |
15 October 1959 |
| Rank: |
Captain |
| Service: |
United States Air Service |
| Units: |
85 (RFC)
148th Aero (USAS) |
| Victories: |
16 |
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| The son of Colonel Leroy Springs,
a wealthy textile manufacturer, Elliot Springs
attended the Culver Military Academy and Princeton.
He enlisted in the army in 1917 and was sent
to England for training with the Royal Flying
Corps. In 1918, he was one of several pilots
hand picked by William Bishop to fly the S.E.5a
with 85 Squadron in France. After recovering
from wounds received in action on 27 June 1918,
he was reassigned to the 148th Pursuit Squadron
which was still under the operational control
of the RFC. When the war ended, Springs returned
to the United States where he barnstormed while
writing "Warbirds: The Diary of an Unknown
Aviator." His book was largely based upon
a collection of letters written by his friend,
John McGavock Grider, who was killed in action
while serving with 85 Squadron. "Warbirds" was
a best seller and Springs continued writing books
based on his experiences during World War I.
At his father's request, he returned to work
at the family textile business in 1931. Recalled
to active duty in 1941, Springs served with the
United States Army Air Corps during World War
II. |
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