Edward Meeker Haight
{{Infobox military person
| name =Edward Meeker Haight
| image = Edward Meeker Haight.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Edward Meeker Haight, 1918
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1896|05|30}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1975|12|05|1896|05|30}}
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial =
| birth_place =Astoria, New York, U.S.
| death_place =Saint Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
| placeofburial_coordinates =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flag|United States|23px}}
| branch = Air Service, United States Army
United States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
| serviceyears =
| rank =Colonel
| unit = Air Service, United States Army
| commands =30th Air Service Group, Randolph AFB
| battles = 50px 50px
World War I
World War II
| awards =
| relations =Son Edward MIA in 1944
| laterwork =Last World War I ace to serve in U.S. Air Force
}}
Colonel Edward Meeker Haight (May 30, 1896—December 5, 1975) was a flying ace when he served as a lieutenant in World War I. He was credited with five aerial victories, all against German fighter planes.The Aerodrome website [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/haight.php] Retrieved 4 March 2010.
World War I service
{{See also|Aerial victory standards of World War I}}
Haight scored his victories in just over a month, from 28 September through 30 October 1918 flying a Spad.{{cite book |title=SPAD XII/XIII aces of World War I |page= 85 }}
Between the World Wars
Postwar, Haight pursued a career in the U.S. Flying Service although he interrupted his employment at some point for approximately six years. He flew as an airline pilot in Central America, and having maintained his military reserve force commission was recalled to Active duty for World War II.Brownsville Herald , 3 May 1954. [http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/newspaper-articles/31586-last-world-war-i-ace-retires-air-force.html] Retrieved 23 December 2017.
World War II and beyond
During World War II, he rose to the rank of colonel and briefly commanded Randolph AFB in 1942. In 1950, having been culled from the officer's ranks he chose to enlist as a noncommissioned officer rather than leave the military; this allowed him to complete his 30 years for retirement. He retired on 3 May 1954 at Randolph AFB, after serving four years as a master sergeant in the School of Aviation Medicine.
Relation
His son 2nd Lt Edward Haight was Missing in action on 18 July 1944 during World War II.[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56290354 Edward Haight at Find a grave memorial]
See also
{{Portal|Biography}}
References
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Bibliography
- Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918. Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. {{ISBN|0-948817-54-2}}, {{ISBN|978-0-948817-54-0}}.
- SPAD XII/XIII Aces of World War I. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2002. {{ISBN|1-84176-316-0}}, {{ISBN|978-1-84176-316-3}}.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Haight, Edward}}
Category:United States Army Air Service pilots of World War I
Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II
Category:United States Army Air Forces colonels
Category:United States Air Force non-commissioned officers
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