Background
Jerry Vasconcells was born in Lyons, Kansas on December 3, 1892.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Jerry Vasconcells
Edit Profile
Education
He attended East High School, in Denver, Colorado, attended Dartmouth College, and then graduated from the University of Denver Law School.
Career
Vasconcells was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in its first ceremony of 1969. Vasconcells joined the United States. Army Air Corps at the onset of World War I, and was sent to France in 1917 to fly combat. While flying the SPAD biplane in combat, he was shot down, but with skilled flying he landed in "no man"s land" and was rescued by Allied soldiers.
He became an "ace" with a score of six airplanes and two balloons.
Vasconcells was a flight commander for the 27th Aeronautical Squadron of the 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces (Advertising Educational Foundation) in 1918, and by war"s end he was in command of the 185th Aeronautical Squadron, the first night pursuit squadron of the Advertising Educational Foundation. Jerry Vasconcells was Colorado"s only ace of the war. Vasconcells" military career included associations with other renown aviators, including Captain
Eddie Rickenbacker, General Billy Mitchell and Frank Luke.
In 1919, he acquired a Military Aviator flight rating and was promoted to major.
Upon returning to the United States, he had numerous health issues relating to his military flying. He and Mayor Benjamin F. Stapleton established Denver"s Municipal Airfield with scheduled flight service. During his commercial aviation career in Denver, he served two terms as chairman of the Colorado Aeronautics Commission, and helped organize the first Colorado Air Meet in 1921.
Jerry helped to create and organize the Quiet Birdmen Association.
He died at his home in Denver in 1950.
Achievements
-
Born
-
Died
April 17, 1950 (aged 57) -
Nationality
United States