Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Elliott
White
Springs
July 31, 1896

–

October 15, 1959

Cemetery:

Unity Cemetery

Elliott Springs attended the prestigious Culver Military Academy and Princeton before entering military service. In World War I he became a Triple-ACE with 16 victories. After the war he authored the best selling book “Warbirds: The Diary of an Unknown Aviator,” based upon a collection of letters written by his friend, John McGavock Grider, who was killed in action while serving with 85 Squadron. Springs served with the USAAF in WWII.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    148th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 22, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 23 (1919)

    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) Elliott White Springs, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 148th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Bapaume, France, 22 August 1918. Attacking three enemy planes (type Fokker), who were driving on one of our planes, Lieutenant Springs, after a short and skillful fight, drove off two of the enemy and shot down the third. On the same day he attacked a formation of five enemy planes (type Fokker), and after shooting down one plane was forced to retire because of lack of ammunition.