Navy Federal Credit Union

As a National Guardsman, Reed Chambers served on the Mexican Border before the war, becoming an ACE in Europe with 7 Victories (6 airplanes and 1 balloon). After the war he joined Eddie Rickenbacker in founding Florida Airways. In 1968 the 64-year-old Reed Chambers broke the sound barrier when he was invited to copilot an F106.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Reed McKinley Chambers, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over the region of Epinonville, France, 29 September 1918. While on a mission Lieutenant Chambers, accompanied by another machine piloted by First Lieutenant Samuel Kaye, Jr., encountered a formation of six enemy machines (Fokker type) at an altitude of 3, 000 feet. Despite numerical superiority of the enemy, Lieutenant Chambers and Lieutenant Kaye immediately attacked and succeeded in destroying one and forced the remaining five to retreat into their own lines.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 2, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Reed McKinley Chambers, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Montfaucon and Vilosnes sur Meuse, France, 2 October 1918. At 7. 40 o’clock Lieutenant Chambers saw four enemy machines (Fokker type) attacking another American machine (Spad type). He immediately went to its rescue, and after a few minutes of fierce combat he succeeded in shooting down one.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 21, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Service) Reed McKinley Chambers, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near the Bois-de-la Cote-Lemonte, France, 21 October 1918. While on a voluntary patrol, Captain Chambers encountered five enemy planes (Fokker type), harassing our Infantry at an altitude of 300 meters. Attacking them without hesitation, he shot down two of them and drove off the others.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 2, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Reed McKinley Chambers, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Montfaucon and Vilosnes sur Meuse, France, 2 October 1918. Lieutenant Chambers, while on a mission, at an altitude of 2, 000 feet, encountered an enemy two-seater (Halberstadt type). He immediately attacked, and after a brief combat succeeded in shooting it down.