Livingston Gilson Irving
Encyclopedia
Livingston Gilson Irving DSC
, (1895 –1983) was an American
World War I
pilot
.
Prior to World War I, Irving attended the University of California, Berkley.
After World War I, Livingston worked with his brother at the California Cider Company overseeing the orchards. He also flew out of Crissy Field as part of the Air Corps Reserve.
In 1927 The Pabco Pacific Flyer, a Breese-Wilde Model 5
, was bought by the Paraffine Companies Inc. of San Francisco California owned by Irving's father, Samuel C. Irving
. Livingston Irving became the first contestant to enter the Dole Air Derby
. While most contestants had navigators, Irving qualified as both. While on the takeoff attempt for the Dole prize, Irving crashed the bright orange Pabco Pacific Flyer painted with the Indian head of his WWI unit. Irving escaped uninjured exiting the ill-fated air race.
In November 1927, his aircraft was wrecked in the Mojave Desert
, ripping off both wings, it was then sold to directly to Irving for $10.00. It was rebuilt by the Breese Aircraft Company to a cabin style with a new fuselage, wing, wheels and a new propeller. Aircraft Industries Inc, then lengthened the aircraft 8" and added new wings five feet longer. The new plane was re-registered as the seven place Irving Cabin Monoplane with the intent on use as an aerial radio broadcasting station KHAC Flying Broadcasters (Inc.). In June 1929, the aircraft was sold again to the Pacific Finance Corporation for $2000 with 550 flight hours logged. The aircraft was dismantled in December 1932.
Livingston retired from the Army Air Force at the rank of colonel.
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
, (1895 –1983) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
World War I
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...
pilot
Pilot
- Science and technology :* Pilot experiment, a precursor to a full experiment* Pilot light, a flame kept continually burning and used to light burners on household appliances* Pilot signal, or pilot tone, in telecommunications- Biology :...
.
Text of citations
Distinguished Service Cross - for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Bantheville, France, 10 October 1918. Accompanied by another pilot, Lieutenant Irving attacked an enemy formation of 11 planes, four of which were above him. In spite of the great odds, he dived into the lower formation, and after a sharp combat destroyed one plane, and with the aid of his companion forced a second plane to earth.Victories
| Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit assigned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 October 1918 | One kill,One assist | Bantheville, France | 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group | |||
Prior to World War I, Irving attended the University of California, Berkley.
After World War I, Livingston worked with his brother at the California Cider Company overseeing the orchards. He also flew out of Crissy Field as part of the Air Corps Reserve.
In 1927 The Pabco Pacific Flyer, a Breese-Wilde Model 5
Breese-Wilde Model 5
|-See also:-External links:*Images of the Aloha , , , , *Images of the Pabco Pacific Flyer...
, was bought by the Paraffine Companies Inc. of San Francisco California owned by Irving's father, Samuel C. Irving
Samuel C. Irving
Samuel C. Irving served as mayor of the City of Berkeley, California from 1915 to 1919.Irving was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1858. He came to Berkeley to attend the University of California from which he graduated in 1879. Samuel Irving married his wife Laura Sell in 1886. They had two sons,...
. Livingston Irving became the first contestant to enter the Dole Air Derby
Dole Air Race
The Dole Air Race, also known as the Dole Derby, was a tragic air race to cross the Pacific Ocean from northern California to the Territory of Hawaii in August 1927. Of the 15-18 entrant airplanes, 11 were certified to compete but three crashed before the race, resulting in three deaths...
. While most contestants had navigators, Irving qualified as both. While on the takeoff attempt for the Dole prize, Irving crashed the bright orange Pabco Pacific Flyer painted with the Indian head of his WWI unit. Irving escaped uninjured exiting the ill-fated air race.
In November 1927, his aircraft was wrecked in the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
, ripping off both wings, it was then sold to directly to Irving for $10.00. It was rebuilt by the Breese Aircraft Company to a cabin style with a new fuselage, wing, wheels and a new propeller. Aircraft Industries Inc, then lengthened the aircraft 8" and added new wings five feet longer. The new plane was re-registered as the seven place Irving Cabin Monoplane with the intent on use as an aerial radio broadcasting station KHAC Flying Broadcasters (Inc.). In June 1929, the aircraft was sold again to the Pacific Finance Corporation for $2000 with 550 flight hours logged. The aircraft was dismantled in December 1932.
Livingston retired from the Army Air Force at the rank of colonel.