William H. Stovall
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant William Howard Stovall began his military career as a World War I flying ace
credited with six aerial victories. He went on to become a successful businessman, as well as serving his country a second time in World War II.
William Howard Stovall was born on his family's cotton plantation in Stovall, Mississippi
, the son of a Civil War colonel. He graduated from Lawrenceville School
in 1913, then attended Yale in 1916.
He reported to the 13th Aero Squadron in July 1918. On 1 August, in company with Charles Biddle
and two other American pilots, shot down two German Albatros D.V
fighters over Viéville-en-Haye
. Then, from 15 September to 23 October 1918, he downed four of the new Fokker D.VII
fighters. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
He returned to the plantation after the war. During World War II, he served once again, joining the U.S. Army Air Corps as a major. He became the directory of personnel for the Eighth Air Force
in Britain. He later became Chief of Staff
for an old comrade from the 13th Aero, General Carl Spaatz
. From this war, he brought home the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, British Order of the British Empire, French Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre, as well as campaign ribbons.
Once again, he returned to the family plantation business. He died at home in his sleep on 11 May 1970.
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Howard Stovall, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Etain, France, September 26, 1918. While leading a protection patrol over a day bombing formation First Lieutenant Stovall's patrol became reduced through motor trouble to himself and one other pilot. When the bombing patrol was attacked by seven enemy planes he in turn attacked the enemy and destroyed one plane.
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 six aerial victories. He went on to become a successful businessman, as well as serving his country a second time in World War II.
William Howard Stovall was born on his family's cotton plantation in Stovall, Mississippi
Stovall, Mississippi
Stovall is an unincorporated community located in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. Stovall is located along Mississippi Highway 1 north of Sherard and approximately south of Friars Point....
, the son of a Civil War colonel. He graduated from Lawrenceville School
Lawrenceville School
The Lawrenceville School is a coeducational, independent preparatory boarding school for grades 9–12 located on in the historic community of Lawrenceville, in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, U.S., five miles southwest of Princeton....
in 1913, then attended Yale in 1916.
He reported to the 13th Aero Squadron in July 1918. On 1 August, in company with Charles Biddle
Charles J. Biddle (aviator)
Major Charles John Biddle was an American aviator, attorney, and author. He was a flying ace during World War I. Postwar, he launched a career in law and wrote his memoirs.-Family and early life:...
and two other American pilots, shot down two German Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
fighters over Viéville-en-Haye
Viéville-en-Haye
Viéville-en-Haye 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...
. Then, from 15 September to 23 October 1918, he downed four of the new 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...
fighters. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
He returned to the plantation after the war. During World War II, he served once again, joining the U.S. Army Air Corps as a major. He became the directory of personnel for the Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
in Britain. He later became Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
for an old comrade from the 13th Aero, General Carl Spaatz
Carl Spaatz
Carl Andrew "Tooey" Spaatz GBE was an American World War II general and the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He was of German descent.-Early life:...
. From this war, he brought home the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, British Order of the British Empire, French Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre, as well as campaign ribbons.
Once again, he returned to the family plantation business. He died at home in his sleep on 11 May 1970.
Citations for awards
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Howard Stovall, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Etain, France, September 26, 1918. While leading a protection patrol over a day bombing formation First Lieutenant Stovall's patrol became reduced through motor trouble to himself and one other pilot. When the bombing patrol was attacked by seven enemy planes he in turn attacked the enemy and destroyed one plane.