Arthur Raymond Brooks
| Arthur Raymond Brooks | |
|---|---|
Lt. Ray Brooks
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Ray |
| Born |
November 1, 1895 Framingham, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 17, 1991 (aged 95) Summit, New Jersey |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch | Air Service, United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917-1922 |
| Rank |
 Captain
|
| Unit | |
| Battles/wars |
 World War I
|
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
Air Service, United States Army
Arthur Raymond Brooks (1 November 1895 - 17 July 1991) was an American World War I flying ace of the United States Army Air Service credited with shooting down multiple enemy aircraft. Among his most prominent achievements was when he single handedly took on a squadron of German-flown Fokker (Dutch make) planes downing 5 of them in one aerial battle piloting his Smith IV Spad XIII. He was a pioneer in the development of radio navigational aids (NAVAIDs) used by pilots for location and navigation as well as air-to-ground communications. Brooks also participated in early endeavors to commercialize aviation as a passenger carrying business and was one of the earliest commercial pilots involved with carrying mail (air mail) for the US Post Office Department.
Brooks was born in Framingham, Massachusetts. He graduated as valedictorian from Framingham Academy and High School in Massachusetts in 1913 and from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1917. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Officer Reserve Corps and attended the School of Military Aeronautics with the Royal Flying Corps in Canada from September to November 1917. Brooks then trained with the Texas 139th Squadron from November 1917 to February 1918. In March 1918, Brooks was transferred to France, where he flew the SPAD S.VII. After three victories he became a flight commander of the 22nd Aero Squadron flying the SPAD XIII C.1. His combat actions earned him a recommendation for the Medal of Honor. The U.S. Army, upon review of the action awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross.
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