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Frank
Purdy
Lahm
November 17, 1877

–

July 7, 1963

Cemetery:

Cremated

Frank Lahm spent two years at Michigan Military Academy before entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he graduated with the Class of 1901. He was qualified by Wilbur Wright on October 26, 1909, as one of the first of TWO military airplane pilots. He retired on November 20, 1941, as a U.S. Army Air Forces Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Service)

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 70 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Service) Frank Purdy Lahm, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. A balloon pilot of marked ability and scientific attainments, Colonel Lahm rendered valuable services to the American Expeditionary Forces by his untiring devotion to the innumerable problems which faced the Air Service during its organization in France. His broad experience in aeronautics played an important part in the formulation of policies of the Air Service and was reflected in its successes during the St. Mihiel offensive and subsequently in the operations of the 2d Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1936 – 1941

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Purdy Lahm, United States Army Air Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Air Officer, 1st Army, from 1936 to 1941. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Lahm culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.