World War Ace Leaves Service
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Will Travel While Before Deciding Upon His Permanent Home
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After flying more than 4,500 hours during his more than 19 years service in the Air Corps, Maj.
James Andrew Healy, commander of the 40th Attack Squadron, Kelly Field, and now retired for disability, plans to continue his travels by slower means that may take him to various points in the United States and Europe, and possibly a trip around the world. If his health permits, he will visit various places and will select one to make it his permanent home, he announced Friday.
Officially accredited with downing 10 enemy planes during the war and being pitched against the famous Baron von Richthofen Flying Circus, Major Healy was one of eight American aces that were on active duty with the Air Corps at the time he retired.
A member of a distinguished army family, Major Healy enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps Air Section in July, 1917, and received his preliminary training with the Royal Flying Corps of Canada. During the war he was flight commander and squadron commander of the 147th Aerial Squadron, which participated in the Battle of the Marne, St. Mihiel, Argonne Offensive and Chateau-Thierry during the first year of American participation in the war. Later Major Healy saw service in the Toul Sector. The squadron which called Healy "The Wolf" was officially accredited with 103 aerial combats and 31 official victories.
Healy has received the Distinguished Service Cross with an oak leaf cluster from the United States; Cross of the Knight of the Legion of Honor and the Crolx de Guerre with four palms from the French government, and the Medal of Honor from the Aero club of America, as well as a decoration from the Italian government.
After the World War he served on staff duty in Washington as aide to the late Col. Horace Hickam and as assistant chief of the information group.
During the filming of tbe moving picture, "Wings," Healy was assigned by the War Department to direct the work pertaining to the lighter-than-air portion of the filming and also played a small part as a commander.
Son of Col. Daniel Healy, who was killed at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War, he was a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt and a member of the famous Rough Riders, Major Healy holds all of the ratings offered by the Air Corps. These are aerial observer, lighter-than-air: balloon pilot, airship pilot, airplane pilot and observer. He has participated in two internation balloon races.
A native of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., he attended St. Peter's College, N. J., and graduated from Fordham University, N. Y.
San Antonio Express - Saturday, November 07, 1936
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