Arthur Raymond Brooks

Arthur Raymond Brooks, WWI Ace, died on July 17, 1991. At the time of his death, were there any living American WWI Aces who had fought with the US Army Air Corps? Thank you!

[Barrett]

Ray Brooks definitely was the last USAS ace known living. The previous two were George Vaughn (31 Jul 89) and Douglas Campbell (16 Dec 90). Ray seemed so frail, especially compared to Vaughn who was so hale and hearty, that that it was a real surprise when he outlived the others at age 95. At the time of Ray's demise we thought he was the last of all US Great War aces but Dolphin pilot James Pearson died in Jan. 93 and we didn't learn about that for quite some time. He was 97.

Dear "Barrett": Thank you for your quick reply to my question. I had met George Vaughan and I visited Ray in his home the day he died. I had known him for a number of years and helped him with his correspondence. Did you know Ray?

[Barrett]

YES, Ray attended about 3 events that I was involved with: the fighter aces assn. and the Champlin Museum. I did not get to know him as well as I'd have liked, but he impressed everyone with his cheerful outlook. He used to introduce himself, "Hi, I'm Ray Brooks, or what's left of him." Just a sweet old guy--the aces' wives adored him.
The WW I aces I knew best were Ken Porter (147th) and Bob Todd (17th); two entirely different birds! They did not get along, and we never knew why. Some of us liked to think that their feud dated from cards or madamoiselles in 1918 but they never served together. Bob was much like Ray--physically frail but really sweet. Ken was a crusty sort who said exactly what he thought, and could keep up with the young squirts of WW II in the drinking category. Because I was practically the only nonimbiber of the whole bunch, usually I was designated to close up the bar and stash the booze so I spent some late nights/early mornings with Ken and a few others. Of course, I never took a tape recorder! Frank Olynyk and I heard enough of the same stories over the years to recognize which ones were consistent and which ones "improved." Ken's were pretty consistent.
As noted before, George Vaughn was a hearty, outgoing gent; very well spoken. Douglas Campbell was reserved and precise in his speech, as if he weighed every word.

Dear "Barrett"...thanx again for quick reply & info...I have no time to chat now...I am off to Oshkosh in the am.....will catch up with you at a later date. (Are you a pilot? Historian?)