12th Aero Squadron

The 12th Aero Squadron was organized June 2, 1917 at San Antonio, Texas. They shipped out via Garden City, New York in November-December 1917, arriving at St. Maxient, France in January 1918. The 12th was assigned to the I Army Corps as an observation unit, also serving with the French VI Army Corps. The squadron moved about various stations in northeastern France, participating in the important Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. The 12th reached Mercy-le-Haut, France shortly after the armistice. Following the war, the squadron became part of the IV Army Corps occupation force in Germany. Traveling through Luxembourg, the 12th arrived at Trier, Germany in early December 1918, then moved on to Koblenz by the end of the month, where they remained through March 1919. In April, the 12th was ordered to demobilize and began its journey back through France, departing from Brest in early June and arriving back in New York a few weeks later. The 12th flew Dorand AR-2, Salmson 2, Airco DH-4, and Curtiss JN-6 and C-1 aircraft.



94th and 95th Aero Squadrons

The 94th and 95th Aero Squadrons were both organized on August 20, 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. They traveled via Hazelhurst Field, New York to France in October-November 1917, continuing on to Issoudun, France. They were assigned initially to the 1st Pursuit Organization and Training Center with the United States First Army, then the 1st Pursuit Group for the latter half of 1918. They trained and served with both the French Sixth and Eighth Armies. Both squadrons moved about various stations in northeastern France, often in tandem, participating in the important Champagne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. After the armistice, the 94th was assigned to the United States Third Army and became part of the occupation forces stationed at Koblenz, Germany. The 95th traveled home via Brest, France to New York and was officially demobilized on March 18, 1919.

The 95th was the first aero squadron in combat, with the 94th close behind. The two squadrons boasted a number of notable aces, including Eddie Rickenbacker and Raoul Lufbery (94th). President Theodore Roosevelt's son Quentin was also part of the 95th and was killed in action.

Both squadrons flew a variety of aircraft including Nieuport 28, SPAD XIII, Fokker D-VII, Albatros D-V, Pfalz D-III, Roland D-VI, Royal Aircraft Factory SE-5, Airco DH-4 and DH-5, Curtiss JN-4, JN-6, and Orenco D.



Sources and Further Reading:

The U.S. Air Service in World War I. Maxwell AFB, Ala: Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Center, 1978-1979.

Harold Buckley and George Puryear. Squadron 95. Paris: The Obelisk Press, 1933.

Charles Woolley. First to the Front: The Aerial Adventures of 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs and the 95th Aero Squadron, 1917-1918. Atlgen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 1999. Print.

Charles Woolley. The Hat in the Ring Gang: The Combat History of the 94th Aero Squadron in World War I. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 2001.

United States Air Force. Fact Sheet, "12 Reconnaissance Squadron ACC." http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432070/12-reconnaissance-squadron-acc/

United States Air Force. Fact Sheet, "94 Fighter Squadron ACC." http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432703/94-fighter-squadron-acc/

United States Air Force. Fact Sheet, "95 Fighter Squadron." http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433606/95-fighter-squadron/

Nancy Harkness was part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. No further information is known.