C.H. Dolan II

Buffdriver · 30 October 2011, 07:26 PM

We have recently accessioned a collection of materials from the late Carl H. Dolan II - the last living American member of the Lafayette Escadrille, N-124 and 103rd Aero Squadron 1915-1918.

I've been able to find enough material on his military career, but little to nothing on his personal life (wife, kids, etc.).

Does anyone have access to this information that they could share?

Additionally, a list of the foreign decorations he was awarded is needed to ID some ribbons associated with his uniforms.

Again, thanks in advance.

BUFFDRIVER

Kirk R. Lowry · 31 October 2011, 08:31 AM

Bonjour Buffdriver!

Carl Dolan was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion d'Honneur by France but may well have been given other French awards as well as medals from other countries for service in The Great War.

Dolan met Ramona Frances Morgan in Honolulu and from there they travelled together to China and they were married upon arrival, in Peking, on the 10 of July 1921.

Dolan worked extensively to establish aviation in China; helping to create a flying school and fly airmail and establish an airline. He was given, at least, three awards by China including the Sixth Degree of the Striped Tiger for saving the lives of various officials, including the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Edwin Denby, with the skillful landing of a Vickers Vimy flying with only a single engine. He returned to Hawaii in 1925.

A son, Charles H. Dolan III, was born to the couple in Honolulu on the 16th of March 1927.

Of course, you know that Dolan continued to live a life a fruitful life based in aviation until dying on the 31st of December 1981.

I would recommend that you consult Lafayette Escadrille Pilot Biographies by Dennis Gordon from which most of the information above was gleaned.

Salut!
Kirk

Buffdriver · 31 October 2011, 06:16 PM

Kirk,

Thanks for the information.

His 6th degree Order of the Striped Tiger medal was also included in the donation along with a Tsao Kun (Cao Kun) Presidential medal from the Chinese President at the time.

Other things from the Dolan Collection include his Escadrille dress uniform, Croix de Guerre fourragiers as well as his Khaki Uniform from the Korean War era when he was recalled to active duty.

The USAF Academy Archives has many of his personal papers.