HISTORY OF THE FIRST AERO COMPANY, SIGNAL CORPS, N.G.N.Y.
This section begins with a sketch of the military and political situation, which led to Federal call up of the Guard in June, 1916. Then it recounts major episodes in the one-year history of the First Aero Company: its evolvement from Detachment status; muster-in to New York state service; Federal recognition; muster-in to Federal service, active duty; deactivation; and finally, disbandment in May, 1917.
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1915 Formation at Mineola, prior to the unit being federalized. |
Posting The Guard; Mid-1916
In the early months of 1916, the United States as a nation became more and more concerned over its military preparedness, due to the imminence of involvement in World War I and disturbances along the Mexican Border. Much discussion, pro and con, centered on the National Guard; and at the outcome it received increased responsibility for the nation's defense18. Partially in furtherance of the decision to rely on the Guard in event of hostilities, the National Defense Act was passed on June 3, 191619. That Act prepared states for rapid mobilization of Guard units, and on June 18, 1916 the President exercised his prerogative and called up the National Guard20.
First Aero Company, N.G.N.Y.
June and July 1916 are the months for which valid and incontrovertible documents show the First Aero Company was recognized as a unit, both by New York State and more importantly, the Federal government.
Mobilization and recognition
The President's mobilization call came on June l8, 1916, but no aviation unit was specifically called for. New York State took the initiative, however, and on June 22 mustered21 its First Aero Company into State service. From all indications that Muster-In order constituted the first official reference to the unit as an independent Aero Company, as opposed to Detachment.
The President's call to New York was amended by telegram22 on June 29, 1916 to include an aviation unit. The honor went to the First Aero Company. (The Second Aero Company of Buffalo was subsequently called for on July 11, 1916). The salient point with regard to this study is that on the day following its call, the United States government formally recognized the First Aero Company. Authentic New York records show "recognition (was) extended by War Department under Act June 3, 1916 on June 30, 191623.
The First Aero Company of New York's recognition by Federal authorities on that date, June 30, 1916, has been accepted24 by the National Guard as the date the first Air unit became part of the National Guard of the United States25.
Mustering-in to Federal service
The First Aero Company was mustered-in to Federal service on July 13, 191626. This action made that unit not only the first National Guard unit recognized by the United States, but also the first Guard aviation unit to serve on active duty with the Federal government. The mustering-in ceremony was reported in Flying27, The New York Times28, and other newspapers.
Active duty
New York's First Aero Company had been called to active duty in anticipation of service on the Mexican border. The Federal government, it turned out, was poorly equipped to provide for the Guard troops called up. Due to the newness of aviation in the military as well as the cost of maintaining aviation units, the First Aero Company found itself in particularly bad straits. For five weeks after the organization mustered into camp, all expenses for equipment, maintenance and operation were met by the Aero Club and private contributions; until on August 1 the Army belatedly took over the company's expenses.
Flight and ground training continued throughout the summer and fall at Mineola. As the weeks went on, however, it became evident the First Aero Company would not be needed for action in Mexico, so it was released from Federal service on November 2, 191629.
After mustering-out of Federal service, many members of the company remained on active duty in State or Reserve status to complete flight training30. A noteworthy event in Air Guard annals took place during that period of extended training, when several fledgling aviators participated in an historic round trip flight of 100 miles. The two-day trip, November 18-19, 1916 was acclaimed by the New York Times as being the largest flight formation ever seen in this country31. It is memorialized today in the form of a National Guard Heritage painting, subject: "The First Multi-Aircraft Cross-Country Flight32."
Disbandment
While the unit was training on active duty, its Commanding Officer, Captain Bolling, and attached Regular Army officers concluded it was infeasible to develop aviation as a National Guard function. The officers reported their feelings, which were later to be included in the Report Of The Acting Chief Of The Militia Bureau33 (1916). The main obstacle, the officers contended, was difficulty in attracting qualified mechanics into the Guard -- everyone wanted to be an aviator.
Bolling and his associates' advice presumably was heeded by the War Department, for in early 1917 it determined no Guard aviation units as such would be utilized in World War I. Shortly thereafter, on May 23, 1917 the First Aero Company was disbanded34.
In Memoriam: Raynal C. Bolling
It is of interest to digress and recall the remainder of Captain Bolling's life. In late 1916 and early 1917 he worked at dissolving the First Aero Company, but at the same time he helped lay the groundwork for the Army's First Reserve Aero Squadron. On May 15, 1917 he reported as ordered to Governor's Island to proceed with organizing and training the new unit. The First Reserve Aero Squadron sailed for Europe on August 13, 1917. On arrival it became the first squadron to report for flying duty with the American Expeditionary Force. Bolling did not accompany the outfit overseas; he was promoted to Colonel and transferred to higher headquarters in France. In the early months of the war, however, Colonel Bolling was killed during a firefight with the enemy -- the first American officer of high rank killed in combat in World War I. Today his memory is perpetuated at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington. |
