25th USMC pilot ever

Comstock · 8 July 2009, 07:08 PM

My grandfather was the 25th USMC pilot ever. He was a Navy pilot before he was a marine pilot. He served in Europe in WWI. His name was Thomas Carrington Comstock. His aviator numbers were 473 & 789. I know he was an officer. I know he did not die till much later in life.

What I don't know is what planes the Marines used in Europe in WWI. I know he got shot down over Belgium (while hick hiking back he was picked up by the King of Belgium).

I have a picture of him in a bi-plane. It looks like it has guns mounted on the sides. The "gun" has a tub leading back to the cockpit. I cannot see the under-side of the plane but the top is rounded. I cannot tell if it is a one or two seater.

Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.

Greg

Barrett · 9 July 2009, 02:46 PM

Greg, your grand-dad (winged 26 March 1918) almost certainly flew DH-4s with the Northern Bombing Group, which operated with the RAF in France and Belgium

Here's a link to a good source of info.

http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/docs/USMCAV.pdf

Comstock · 9 July 2009, 03:34 PM

Barrett,

Thanks for the information. I am attempting to attach a picture of him in his plane. After looking at the large photo I have and photos of the DH-4, I agree he must have flown that plane.

I followed up with a relative and found out he was never shot down. He did get picked up by the King of Belgium, but he was hitchhiking into town.

Greg