William Thaw II
William Thaw II | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant Colonel William Thaw II, 1918 | |
| Born | 12 August 1893 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, |
| Died | 22 April 1934 (aged 40) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Buried | Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Plot: Section: 20, Lot: 55 |
| Allegiance | France United States |
| Branch | Aéronautique Militaire (France) Air Service, United States Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 (France) 1918 (USA) |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Aéronautique Militaire
|
| Commands | 103rd Aero Squadron 3d Pursuit Group |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, french Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre |
Lieutenant Colonel William Thaw II (12 August 1893 – 22 April 1934) was an American combat aviator who served in World War I and became a flying ace. Credited with five confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories, he is believed to be the first American to engage in aerial combat in the war. He was the first to fly up the East River under all four bridges.