Lowell Smith

Lowell Herbert Smith (October 8, 1892 – November 4, 1945) was a pioneer American airman who piloted the first airplane to receive a complete mid-air refueling (along with Lt. John P. Richter) on June 27, 1923, and later set an endurance record of 37 hours on August 28, both in a De Havilland DH-4B.The family subsequently moved to North Yakima and Spokane in Washington, then to San Fernando, California, as his father sought work as a mechanical and electrical engineer.Smith received his high school education in San Fernando and went on to college but left his studies to work in a pumping plant in the Mojave Desert and then as a mechanic in an automobile repair shop.[3] Smith then decided to join Pancho Villa's revolutionary army in Mexico where he became engineering officer of its tiny three-aircraft air service and he subsequently flew reconnaissance for a time in 1915 before all three aircraft were lost.After a period as Engineering Officer at Rockwell Field after the war, he was given command of the 20 aircraft 91st Squadron, flying fire patrols in the Pacific Northwest, where he served for four years.Going on to conquer wind and weather, Smith became the first person to fly from San Francisco to Chicago[2]: 24  and the first West Coast flier to complete the round trip, on October 21.In the performance of his great task he brought to himself and to the military forces of the United States the signal honor of an achievement which is a testimonial to American thoroughness, courage, and resourcefulness.
Lowell C. SmithSanta Barbara, CaliforniaTucson, ArizonaArlington National CemeteryUnited States of AmericaUnited States Army Air ServiceUnited States Army Air CorpsColonelMexican RevolutionWorld War IIDistinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Service MedalMackay TrophyAmericanair refuelingDe Havilland DH-4BDouglas World Cruiserfirst aerial circumnavigationMojave DesertBattle Mountain, NevadaPancho VillaCarl Andrew SpaatzWest CoastAirco DH.4round the world flightthe first to fly around the worldFrederick L. MartinDistinguished Service CrossWar DepartmentDavis-MonthanCatalina Foothills, ArizonaArlington, VirginiaWorld War I Victory MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory MedalWayback Machinearchive.today