George W. Furlow
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant George Willard Furlow was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Furlow was posted to the 103rd Aero Squadron on 25 July 1918 as a Spad XIII pilot. On 11 August, he shared his first win over a German Albatros
two-seater with Edgar Tobin
. Over a month later, on 13 September, he shared a double triumph over Fokker D.VII
s with Charles R. d'Olive
. He shot down another D.VII four days later, and finished out his victory string on 27 October 1918, when he teamed with Thomas Cassady
and another pilot to destroy a Halberstadt
reconnaissance machine.
(DSC)
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George Willard Furlow, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Charey
, France, September 13, 1918. Lieutenant Furlow, while leading a patrol of three monoplace planes at an altitude of 400 meters, met and attacked an enemy patrol of seven monoplace planes. Despite numerical superiority, he destroyed two of the enemy's planes and with the aid of his companions forced the others to withdraw.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Oak Leaf Cluster
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George Willard Furlow, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Vernéville
, France, September 17, 1918. Lieutenant Furlow, while on a patrol with two companions, met and attacked an enemy formation of eight planes. In the course of the combat which ensued, Lieutenant Furlow's plane was severely damaged by the enemy's fire. Despite the damage, he continued the attack until he had destroyed one hostile aircraft, and with his patrol forced the remainder of the enemy to retire.
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World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories.
Furlow was posted to the 103rd Aero Squadron on 25 July 1918 as a Spad XIII pilot. On 11 August, he shared his first win over a German Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
two-seater with Edgar Tobin
Edgar Tobin
Lieutenant Edgar Gardner Tobin was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-World War I service:Tobin was born to a prominent San Antonio family and was educated at Texas Military Institute. While he served in the 94th and 103rd Aero Squadrons, he scored all his victories while...
. Over a month later, on 13 September, he shared a double triumph over Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
s with Charles R. d'Olive
Charles R. d'Olive
First Lieutenant Charles Rudolph d'Olive was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was the last World War I aviator to be declared an ace, in 1963.-World War I:...
. He shot down another D.VII four days later, and finished out his victory string on 27 October 1918, when he teamed with Thomas Cassady
Thomas Cassady
Captain Thomas Gantz Cassady was a patriot who served his nation in two World Wars, and was successful in business during peacetime.-World War I:...
and another pilot to destroy a Halberstadt
Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke
Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke or Halberstadt was a German aircraft manufacturer. It was formed in April 1912 as a British-German joint venture under the name German Bristol works Flugzeuggesellschaft mbH in Halberstadt. Initially the plant produced Bristol Boxkites and Bristol Prier monoplanes, but...
reconnaissance machine.
Citations of honors and awards
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
(DSC)
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George Willard Furlow, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Charey
Charey
Charey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
, France, September 13, 1918. Lieutenant Furlow, while leading a patrol of three monoplace planes at an altitude of 400 meters, met and attacked an enemy patrol of seven monoplace planes. Despite numerical superiority, he destroyed two of the enemy's planes and with the aid of his companions forced the others to withdraw.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Oak Leaf Cluster
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George Willard Furlow, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Vernéville
Vernéville
Vernéville is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Moselle department...
, France, September 17, 1918. Lieutenant Furlow, while on a patrol with two companions, met and attacked an enemy formation of eight planes. In the course of the combat which ensued, Lieutenant Furlow's plane was severely damaged by the enemy's fire. Despite the damage, he continued the attack until he had destroyed one hostile aircraft, and with his patrol forced the remainder of the enemy to retire.
Victory list
Date/time/unit/aircraft flown/aircraft downed/location----
- - 11 Aug 1918, 1005 103rd SPAD XIII Albatros C.I FlireyFlireyFlirey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
- - 13 Sep 1918, 1700 103rd SPAD XIII Fokker D.VIIFokker D.VIIThe Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
ChareyChareyCharey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine... - - 13 Sep 1918, 1700 103rd SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Charey
- - 17 Sep 1918, 1620 103rd SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII VernévilleVernévilleVernéville is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Moselle department...
- - 27 Oct 1918, 1500 103rd SPAD XIII Halberstadt C Cumières-le-Mort-HommeCumières-le-Mort-HommeCumières-le-Mort-Homme is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.Since the end of the Battle of Verdun in 1916, it has been unoccupied along with Bezonvaux, Beaumont-en-Verdunois, Haumont-près-Samogneux, Louvemont-Côte-du-Poivre, and...