World War I - Short Snorter

[Richard Dana]

I recently found, with my Father's possession, what appears to be a "Short Snorter" from World War I. My Father, Richard Lawson Dana, was a B-29 pilot during the Korean War, and my Grandfather, Deane Dana, was a pilot in WWI. Initially I thought that this banknote was my Father's, but have since learned that the names on the bill are of some early American Aviation Pioneers such as Ora W. Young, John Smithoski, and Hector Alexander.

I have scans of the actual banknote posted on my public Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/richard.dana.142

Interested in finding out additional information about the Servicemen who signed this note, and when it may have been signed. My grandfather earned his wings in April/May of 1918 at Ellington Field, TX, after attending the ground school at Cornell. He receive additional advanced flight training at Wilbur Wright, Langley, and Taliaferro before being shipped to France and stationed at Issoudun for still additional training. In the final month of the War, he was finally assigned to the 88th Aero Squardron.

[regular122]

Wonderful photos. What would help would be if you could list the names. They are difficult to make out. Steve

[Richard Dana]

I am also having a hard time reading the names on this note, and researching these men. The "easy pickings" are Ora W. Young, John Smithowski, and Hector Alexander. All of these gentlemen had interesting careers, not only in our armed forces, but in the early days of American Aviation. John and Ora were early aviators. John appears to have been a famous pilot on the east coast called "Smity," but had no children who could tell of their father's accomplishments. Ora's son had a distinguished career in aviation, with numerous children and grandchildren. I have tried to reach out to one of the daughters on Facebook without success. The most interesting name on the list, so far, may be Hector Alexander who worked for Packard Engines. He worked on a number of experimental aircraft seeking to cross the Atlantic, including the ill fated "Old Glory."

I will give you my best guess as to the other names on this note. Front: R.(?) C. Weaver; B(?) Hamilton; J. Shaunghnesy; and Bertha(?) S. Garland Back Side Notations: George Haven Duran; Vince Norton; John (?) DeSpagna(?); and "DUTCH." Back - Top to Bottom: M.K. Lee; H(ugh?) Gaffney; Bill Sievert(?); Roscoe J Beh(ay?); Ken Fortis; ? Ambrose; S(?) Hanfich(?); C. Alder; Louis A. Welton (?); Capt (?) (?) eaveley with several letters after this name; Frank Steinman; John D. Thorenson; Louis A. (Mead?) Jr.; Sgt(?) Scotty(?) Begy(?); James G. McIntosh; and M (I?) Carter. That is my best guess as to the names I can partially read. I can read my grandfather's name at the top of the note, but not the words after his name. I am assuming that this was the "Short Snorter" assigned to him.

[regular122]

Not having much progress with these. Virtually nothing on WWI service records. Absolutely nothing on air service except a John Shaughnesy in the 498th Aero. He was a ground crewman. May or may not be him. No way to know.

I suspect that this note has little connection to Dana's service in the 88th Aero. At least a name or two would match but absolutely nothing does. I suspect the Peso note may have had something to do with work or service in Mexico at a different time. These guys just don't appear in the records searches. At least I cannot place them. Sorry. Steve

[Richard Dana]

Steve:

Reading the names on this note is very difficult. There is no question that Ora W. Young, John Smithowski, and Hector Alexander were very involved with the early aviation industry. Of all the persons, Hector Alexander is extremely interesting for work that he performed on aircraft engines and early attempts at Trans-Continental flight.

I am having the same difficulty you are experiencing in making additional connections, but the Shaughnessy reference is appreciated. The name that I struggle with is Bertha(?) S. Garland. Again, I'm not even sure this is the right name, but I find a Bertha S. Garland (1901 - 1965) who is buried in Portsmouth, NH. The dates do not quite "match up," especially for service at the border.

Furthermore, while my grandfather joined the New York National Guard before being transferred to the Aviation Section, there is no information that I can find (either from military records or oral history) that he was involved in the Border War.

As an additional clue, my grandfather was an inventor. I recall my Father stating that his father played some part in the Americans synchronizing the engines of these early aircraft with front-mounted machine guns to prevent pilots from shooting off the propeller. Of course it was the Germans who can claim the patent on this development, with our forces playing catch-up, but this could be an additional clue as to why both pilots and mechanics signed this banknote.

Thank you for looking!

Richard

[regular122]

The name could be Bertie, which was common at the time. I checked on Young, Smithkowski and Alexander. Only Alexander showed any possibilities linked to wartime aviation service. Will see what else may be found.

Steve

[Biber]

You know, this thread would be more useful, informative, and helpful to you, not to mention appreciated were you to post your photos here. Right now it is none of the above. Utterly so, actually.

Not everybody does facebook.

[Richard Dana]

I found, on-line, a Veteran's Administration Card for Ora Wesley Young. It lists him as a 2 Lt. in the A.S.A. Born: 3/25/1892 near Dayton, Ohio, enlisted July 19, 1917.

[Richard Dana]

I am new to the Aerodrome Forum, but for those who do not like Facebook, here is my attempt to share photographs of my grandfather and his Short Snorter directly to this thread through photobucket.

https://app.photobucket.com/u/Richar...8-39cb49602145
https://app.photobucket.com/u/Richar...a-979540f7d2b5
https://app.photobucket.com/u/Richar...f-b0ed8f753409
https://app.photobucket.com/u/Richar...c-703dd4daf6b7

Here is to learning something new each day!