Larner was too young to join U. S. aviation, so he dropped out of Columbia University and began pilot's training at the private Curtiss Flying School in Buffalo, New York. He joined the French air service in July 1917. In December, he was assigned to Escadrille Spa.86.[2] He used his Spad to down two enemy planes a week apart, on 18 and 25 March 1918; the latter victory was shared with Frank Hunter.[1] The following month, he was commissioned into American service, but remained with the French until June. He was then transferred to the American 103rd Aero Squadron as a Flight Commander. He scored five more aerial victories with them, from 13 September to 4 November 1918. On 8 November, he was promoted to captain.[2]
Between the World WarsEdit
Larner stayed in France as part of the Peace Commission, and did not return to the U. S. until September 1919.[2] He resumed his studies, and graduated in 1921, becoming a banker. Along with George Augustus Vaughn, Jr. and Howard Burdick, he helped form the 102nd Observation Squadron of the New York National Guard; it was the Guard's first air unit.[1]
World War II and beyondEdit
Larner returned to service during World War II, rising to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army Air Corps Reserve. After the war, he became Chairman of the National Aeronautical Association and the Chairman of Robinson Aviation, Inc., of Tetersboro, New Jersey.[2]
Honors and awardsEdit
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gorman DeFreest Larner, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Champeny, France, September 13, 1918. Lieutenant Larner attacked an enemy patrol of six machines (Fokker type), and fought against the great odds until he had destroyed one and forced the others to retire. (General Orders No. 145, W.D., 1918)[1]
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) - Oak Leaf Cluster
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gorman DeFreest Larner, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Montfaucon, France, October 4, 1918. While leading a patrol of four monoplace planes, Lieutenant Lamer led his patrol in an attack on an enemy formation of seven planes. By skillfully maneuvering he crushed one of the enemy machines and with the aid of his patrol forced the remainder of the enemy formation to withdraw. (General Orders No. 145, W.D., 1918)[1]
gorman, defreest, larner, captain, july, 1897, 1984, world, flying, credited, with, seven, aerial, victories, 1918bornjuly, 1897washington, usadiedmay, 1984, 1984, aged, easton, maryland, usaburiedwoodlawn, memorial, park, easton, maryland, plot, east, garden,. Captain Gorman DeFreest Larner July 5 1897 May 20 1984 was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories 1 Gorman DeFreest LarnerGorman DeFreest Larner 1918BornJuly 5 1897Washington D C USADiedMay 20 1984 1984 05 20 aged 86 Easton Maryland USABuriedWoodlawn Memorial Park Easton Maryland Plot East of Garden of the Oaks Allegiance France United StatesService wbr branchAeronautique Militaire France Air Service United States ArmyRankCaptainUnitAeronautique Militaire Escadrille SPA 86Air Service United States Army 103d Aero SquadronBattles wars World War IWorld War IIAwardsDistinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster French Croix de GuerreOther workOrganized first Air National Guard unit Contents 1 World War I 2 Between the World Wars 3 World War II and beyond 4 Honors and awards 5 See also 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 External linksWorld War I EditLarner was too young to join U S aviation so he dropped out of Columbia University and began pilot s training at the private Curtiss Flying School in Buffalo New York He joined the French air service in July 1917 In December he was assigned to Escadrille Spa 86 2 He used his Spad to down two enemy planes a week apart on 18 and 25 March 1918 the latter victory was shared with Frank Hunter 1 The following month he was commissioned into American service but remained with the French until June He was then transferred to the American 103rd Aero Squadron as a Flight Commander He scored five more aerial victories with them from 13 September to 4 November 1918 On 8 November he was promoted to captain 2 Between the World Wars EditLarner stayed in France as part of the Peace Commission and did not return to the U S until September 1919 2 He resumed his studies and graduated in 1921 becoming a banker Along with George Augustus Vaughn Jr and Howard Burdick he helped form the 102nd Observation Squadron of the New York National Guard it was the Guard s first air unit 1 World War II and beyond EditLarner returned to service during World War II rising to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army Air Corps Reserve After the war he became Chairman of the National Aeronautical Association and the Chairman of Robinson Aviation Inc of Tetersboro New Jersey 2 Honors and awards EditDistinguished Service Cross DSC The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gorman DeFreest Larner First Lieutenant Air Service U S Army for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Champeny France September 13 1918 Lieutenant Larner attacked an enemy patrol of six machines Fokker type and fought against the great odds until he had destroyed one and forced the others to retire General Orders No 145 W D 1918 1 Distinguished Service Cross DSC Oak Leaf ClusterThe Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gorman DeFreest Larner First Lieutenant Air Service U S Army for extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Montfaucon France October 4 1918 While leading a patrol of four monoplace planes Lieutenant Lamer led his patrol in an attack on an enemy formation of seven planes By skillfully maneuvering he crushed one of the enemy machines and with the aid of his patrol forced the remainder of the enemy formation to withdraw General Orders No 145 W D 1918 1 See also Edit nbsp World War I portal nbsp World War II portal nbsp Biography portalList of World War I flying aces from the United StatesReferences Edit a b c d e Gorman DeFreest Larner www theaerodrome com Retrieved 8 April 2010 a b c d American Aces of World War 1 p 26 Bibliography EditAmerican Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey Osprey Publishing 2001 ISBN 1 84176 375 6 ISBN 978 1 84176 375 0 External links EditGorman DeFreest Larner at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gorman DeFreest Larner amp oldid 1089419433, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
