MAXWELL WILLIAM CALVIN MAXWELL Born: Nov
Namesakes 1 1 2 3 4 MAXWELL WILLIAM CALVIN MAXWELL Born: Nov. 9, 1892, Natchez, Ala. Death in Manila Died: Aug. 12, 1920, Manila, Philippines Occupation: US military officer On April 6, 1917, the US entered the Great Soon, Maxwell was generating sorties from a Service: ROTC; US Air Service War. It was a matter of instant significance new, air-only section of Stotsenburg: Clark Field. Era: World War I/post-WW I for William C. Maxwell, an obscure student The young aviator was flying the Dayton-Wright Years of Service: 1917-20 at the University of Alabama. His response DH-4 biplane, a US version of Geoffrey de Grade: Second Lieutenant would, over time, make his name famous Havilland's famous two-seat, single-engine Combat: None throughout the Air Force. British bomber. College: University of Alabama Maxwell was born into humble circum- On Aug. 12, 1920, disaster struck. Maxwell stances in tiny Natchez, Ala., one of seven was on a routine flight when he experienced children. Their father, John R. Maxwell, and engine trouble. The 400-hp Liberty engine mother, Jennie, moved the family to Atmore, was usually reliable. On this day, it was not. MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE where he grew up. Maxwell attempted an emergency landing in Maxwell, 24 when war came, was older a nearby sugarcane field. On approach, losing State: Alabama than the usual undergraduate. He possibly altitude, he saw that a group of children was Nearest City: Montgomery began college late because he lacked the playing in a clearing directly in his path.
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