John McGavock Grider (original) (raw)

John McGavock Grider was a fighter pilot during World War I and one of the famous American war birds who trained in England. He is credited with downing four enemy aircraftThis was at the beginning of American aviation when the United States had not yet organized their own air service and defense.When America entered the war in 1917, aviation only became officially established and used in war a year later in May 1918. The air service became the newest branch of the U.S. army and had few pilots that were trained to endure combat. An aviation bill was passed in July 1917 for $640 million however it would take time to build airfields and planes.