War Bird Ace: The Great War Exploits of Capt. Field E. Kindley (C. A. Brannen Series) [Hardcover]

Dr. Jack Stokes Ballard Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Series: C. A. Brannen Series | Publication Date: February 6, 2007

Capt. Field E. Kindley, with the famous Eddie Rickenbacker, was one of America’s foremost World War I flying aces. Like Rickenbacker’s, Kindley’s story is one of fierce dogfights, daring aerial feats, and numerous brushes with death. Yet unlike Rickenbacker’s, Kindley’s story has not been fully told until now.

Field Kindley gained experience with the RAF before providing leadership for the U.S. Air Service. Kindley was the fourth-ranking American air ace; his exploits earned him a Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster from the United States and a Distinguished Flying Cross from the British government.

In February 1920, during a practice drill Kindley led, some enlisted men unwittingly entered the bombing target area. “Buzzing” the troops to warn them off the field, Kindley somehow lost control of his plane and died in the ensuing crash.

Using arduously gathered primary materials and accounts of Great War aces, Jack Ballard tells the story of this little-known hero from the glory days of aerial warfare. Through this tale, an era and a daring flyer live again.

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About the Author

JACK STOKES BALLARD, who, before retirement, worked in the aeronautics industry and the U.S. Air Force, has had a lifelong fascination with Field Kindley. Ballard holds a Ph.D. from the University of California–Los Angeles and taught history for five years at the Air Force Academy. He currently resides in Centennial, Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: TAMU Press (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585445541
• ISBN-13: 978-1585445547
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,506,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The WWI Combat Career of a Forgotten Yank Ace!, March 21, 2009

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Bird Ace: The Great War Exploits of Capt. Field E. Kindley (C. A. Brannen Series) (Hardcover)

Though immortalized in an evocative photograph, Field Kindley is one of America's forgotten aces of the Great War. Credited with a dozen kills, Kindley served in both the RAF and USAS, his leadership abilities eventually bringing him command of his own squadron. Staying in the Air Service after the war, Kindley was killed in a 1920 air crash that cut short a promising career. Thanks to the publication of Jack Ballard's excellent WAR BIRD ACE in 2007, the exploits of this quiet, thoughtful and talented fighter pilot and leader have been given the exposure they deserve.

The Arkansas-born Kindley served in the pre-war Signal Corps. Transferring to the Aviation Section, he became part of the first group of Americans sent to England for combat training in 1917. Assigned to the RAF's 65 Squadron equipped with Camels, he scored one kill before being transferred to the 148th Aero Squadron, USAS, in July 1918. Kindley, who scored the unit's first kill, rapidly became known as a top-notch flight leader and ace, eventually downing 11 e/a in just 4 months. For his wartime service Kindley received both a British DFC and an American DSC with Oak Leaf Cluster. In December 1918 he became CO of the 141st Aero Squadron, serving in postwar Europe until June 1919. He was killed in a February 1920 accident.

Author Ballard does an excellent job of both describing the combat exploits of Field Kindley and presenting a multi-dimensional portrait of the man. Though a high school drop-out, his natural abilities and winning personality served him well, Kindley being respected for his aerial skills and his rapport with and concern for his squadronmates. Typical of the man, he was killed in 1920 while warning ground personnel away from a live-fire area, his aircraft stalling out as he passed over the men at low level.

Kindley's letters home, reminiscences from his squadronmates and contemporary newspaper articles help bring alive this immensely likable young man. WAR BIRD ACE is a wonderful tribute to one of America's finest Great War aces. Highly recommended.
****

NB. That "evocative photograph" depicts a helmeted Kindley grinning from the cockpit of his Sopwith Camel while holding his pet dog 'Fokker.'