David Putnam

Old_Nick · 30 November 2001, 05:42 AM

I have been searching out "local" flyers in the New England area for a couple months now. Some of them (like Norman Prince) have some small memorials or markers. In front of the town Library in Hamilton, for example is a neat statue which lists the names of the men from that area who died while serving in the French/American squadrons. Harvard Un. has a small booklet on flyers from that school.

I have not had much luck on

David Putnam. Could someone recommend any good reading on him? The little I have found perked my interest; sounds like he might have been a

Frank Luke type!

Old Nick

Amy · 30 November 2001, 12:29 PM

Greetings Old Nick:

The only

David Putnam reference that popped up in my memory is an old Cross & Cockade (Volume 18/No. 3/Autum 1977) article titled, "Putnam's Red Devil". The the four-page article concerns the aircraft Putnam flew, but it contains several pictures. Sounds like you're looking for information pertaining to the man himself though.

If you're interested, I can scan and email this little article to you. There might be something in it that you'll find interesting.

I'll keep looking for any other references on Putnam.

Cheers,
Amy

Dave_Kent · 30 November 2001, 02:43 PM

Hello:

There is some information in Hudson's

HOSTILE SKIES

, 1968 (paperback 1996).

I think I'vw seen a magazine article, but no real idea where at the moment. *I'll look.

Dave

Old_Nick · 2 December 2001, 05:51 AM

Amy

Right now I am interested in anything I can come up with on Putnam. I would be delighted to read the article.

Many thanks

Old Nick

Barrett · 2 December 2001, 07:36 AM

Some basics on

David Endicott Putnam:
b. Jamaica Plains, Mass. 10 Dec 98
Joined French Air Service in April 17 (age 18) after dropping Harvard
Wings in October, assigned to LFC and joined SPA.94 at year end. Shortly to MS.156. June 1918 to SPA.38.
Commissioned in USAS that month, to 103rd PS as acting CO (age 19!). By the end of June he was with the US 139th. KIA 12 September and buried near Toul beside Lufbery. Putnam had at least 29 claims of which 13 were confirmed Confirmations were 4 with MS.156 (I assume he flew SPADs with the squadron, despite the designation); 5 w/SPA.38, and 4 with 139th.

stephen · 4 December 2001, 06:04 AM

It was my understanding that Putnam submitted a total of 36 victory claims, which would have given him the highest total number of claims of any American pilot. I don't remember where the number 36 came from... can anyone help?

Barrett · 4 December 2001, 08:19 AM

Franks & Bailey in OTF say "At one stage he was said to have 34 victories but only 9 of these were made official." The full list of his claims in OTF is 13 conf. (2 ahred), 16 unconf (3 shared).

Dave_Kent · 4 December 2001, 10:29 AM

Hello:

AIR ACES OF THE 1914 - 1918 WAR page 102 also says that some sources say 34. They give 12 confirmed.

Dave

stephen · 5 December 2001, 05:01 AM

I know of no other US ace with that many claims (NOT confirmations). Not Vaughn (who got credit for every claim he ever made), certainly not Rickenbacker and not Luke (who got credit for all but one).

Anyone else know of an American ace in any air service who CLAIMED more than 36... or even 34 victories?

Old_Nick · 5 December 2001, 05:52 AM

I think part of the reason so many claims were rejected was the tighter French system of confirmation. Putnam appears to have flown most of his career with the French. From what others on this list have said the French had very tight confirmation standards.

BTW New England Aviators (2 volumes) had some good information about the man. Also, found his name on the WW1 memorial at Harvard University. He is listed under class of 1920 (if I remember correctly) since he left school to join up.

Old Nick