1st Lieut. Francis May Symonds/147th Aero Squadron

[retread]

I am trying to find some particulars regarding 1st Lieut. Francis Symonds of the 147th Aero Squadron. I have the basic info supplied in the "aces" section, does anyone have more details regarding the man? He was one of the "original three hundred" trained in Toronto.
Also, was a history ever written on the 147th Aero?
Thanks

[tamerlane]

Had a little trouble with this one, because the spelling of his name should be Francis May Simonds.

According to "Over the Front" by Franks and Bailey, he flew Spads with the 147th and shared in five victories in 1918. He earned the following citation in French General Order 12.027 on 29 November 1918:

"An excellent pilot who has always shown great courage and an absolute scorn for danger. On July 2, 1918, being on a patrol of seven planes, he continued a hard fight although both his machine guns jammed. On 16 July, 1918, he attacked three enemy planes, brought down one, forced another to land and put a third to flight."

That date, 16 July, corresponds with his 2nd victory, over a Fokker DVII near Dormants.

He also earned a "Silver Star" citation in US Citation Order 4, General Headquarters Citations:

"For gallantry in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 5 July 1918, while on a patrol."

That's the date of his 1st victory, over a Pfalz DIII.

His additional victories included a Fokker DVII on 24 July, a Halberstadt C on 2 October, and a Hannover CL on 12 October. He shared all of his victories, the first with R.A. O'Neill; the 2nd with A.H. Jones and C.P. Porter; the 3rd with Thomas James Abernathy, J.A. Healy, O'Neill, Jones and Porter; the 4th with Jones, Hamilton Coolidge and E.G. Garnsey of the 94th Aero; and the 5th with Abernathy and Porter again.

I would be interested to know if he actually applied for and received the Silver Star medal, as it was not instituted until 1932. Do you happen to know if he ever got it?

Tim

[retread]

Tamerlane,
Thanks for the helpful response. From what little I know "Symonds/Simonds" was not awarded the Silver Star but thats far from authorative. Also I have reason to believe his name may have been spelled with a "y", but again am uncertain.
Thanks

[tamerlane]

It could be that his name was misspelled on some of his official documents, resulting in that misspelling being perpetuated all over the place.

Curiously, this also happened to one of the 147th pilots mentioned above - T.L. Abernathy was NOT the correct spelling of his name, but you see it this way in most of the lists. It was actually spelled "Abernethy". The correct spelling was used on the award document for his DSC.

Tim

[cameldriver]

Tim
I have a 2 volume history of the 147th Aero. It consists of photocopies of Gorrell's History of the Air Service Volume E-18. It consists of some narrative (very little), but mostly Squadron reports, and pilot reports, on a daily basis from June 1, 1918.
it has 5 parts : narrative,Toul Sector, Chateau-Thierry Sector, St. Mihiel Sector and Argonne-Meuse Sector. On a quick review, all of the reports spell Simonds' name with an "i", including those submitted by him.
Simonds came to France with the 147th. His address before the War was 20 West 8th St., NYC. He received both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre for Heroism on the front.
Hope this helps.
Bob

[tamerlane]

I think I would have to defer to the Gorrell Report on the spelling of his name, but there is no question that "Symonds" and "Simonds" are the same man.

Weldboy, how much more info are you looking for?

Tim

[retread]

Tamerlane and cameldriver. Thank you both for your responses. Sorry for the late reply but I have been on the road. Am hoping to visit the National Archives in the near future and see what I can dig up on Simonds (Symonds?) and the 147th Aero.
Thanks