Marker Dedicated to First Aviator to Die in Duty

WINONA, Miss. (NNS) -- The first naval aviator to die in the line of duty was remembered nearly 100 years after his death with a marker to honor his service Oct. 24.

A historical marker in Ens. William Devotie Billingsley's hometown of Winona, Miss., was unveiled on Old Highway 82. Billingsley died June 20, 1913.

Attending the ceremony were Capt. Charles C. Moore II, commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, and Capt. David Lobdell, commodore of Training Air Wing 1 on board NAS Meridian. A two-plane flyover was provided by aviators from TW-1. Three student pilots participated in the ceremony and wreath-laying at the cemetery were Billingsley is buried.

"On behalf of the men and women of Naval Air Station Meridian, it is my honor to be here today," Moore said. "Since arriving in Mississippi in July it quickly became apparent that there exists a strong bond between Mississippi and our nation's sea service."

Moore noted that NAS Meridian and Naval Station Gulfport are representatives of the Navy's physical presence in Mississippi but the connection does not end there.

"A long line of ships have been constructed at the Pascagoula Naval Yards and thousands of seamen have depended on these vessels to execute the maritime mission," Moore said.

"Ens. Billingsley represents the first of what has become the many sacrifices of the advancement of naval aviation. I am humbled to be part of the community that Ens. Billingsley helped establish. I am certain that Ens. Billingsley would himself be proud of what naval aviation has become based on his formative work."

Lobdell's comments focused on the centennial of naval aviation.

"One of the things that I tell the young naval aviators at winging ceremonies is that they are part of a proud legacy of a small group folks that is naval aviation," Lobdell said. "That legacy is rich in history filled with sacrifice, devotion to duty and service to the nation. That history began with Ens. Billingsley on June 20, 1913, and is echoed throughout the last 100 years of aviation."

The keynote speaker was Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker.

"This is a great occasion for all of us," Wicker said. "Ens. Billingsley was an outstanding young graduate of Winona High School and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. You do not graduate from Annapolis without being strong, accomplished and determined to go through that rigorous course of study. We are so proud of what Ens. Billingsley did and what all military members have done for this nation."

Shortly after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Billingsley entered the new Navy flying program and reported to the Aviation Camp in Annapolis to train on the Navy-Wright B-2 aircraft Dec. 2, 1912. He was designated "Aviator No. 9."

On Jan. 6, 1913, the aviation group went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to train with fleet ships in scouting missions, searching for submarines, bombing runs, aerial photography and to accustom fleet personnel with working with aircraft. It was the first aviation base for naval operations with the fleet. Earlier experiments with modifying aircraft into "hydroaeroplanes" had been going on since early 1911; that project was now extended to the B-2 biplane. In early spring of 1913, the aviation group returned to Annapolis.

On June 20, 1913, Billingsley was piloting a Wright B-2 biplane with the pusher prop, rigged with pontoons which would allow water landings. Lt. John Towers, who had already proven himself an innovative pioneer in early naval aviation, was Billingsley's passenger. The two sat at the leading edge of the wing; at that time, there were no seatbelts in use.

According to naval records, Billingsley was flying the biplane 1,600 feet over the water near Annapolis. During the flight, the plane flew into turbulence, and Billingsley was thrown from the plane and fell to his death in the Chesapeake Bay. He was 26.

Towers rode the damaged plane almost to the water before pushing himself clear, and fell into the water. Towers would sustain major injuries but survived.

The Navy, in appreciation of Billingsley's sacrifice, named a destroyer after him. In March 1920, USS Billingsley (DD-293) was commissioned.

Speaking on behalf of the Billingsley family was William "Bill" Devotie Billingsley, the great nephew of Ens. Billingsley.

"I am very proud to be named after him," Bill Billingsley said. "Who wouldn't be proud to be named after an American hero and has the main boulevard named after him at the naval air station in Pensacola, Fla.; a plaque dedicated to him in the main hall at Annapolis; and a Navy destroyer named for him.

Bill Billingsley said that his great uncle never forgot his hometown or the family he left behind.

"During his time in the Navy, Devotie never forgot where he was from. No matter where in the world his Navy travels took him, he always sent letters and post cards to his family. Many of these letters were written between 1908-1912," said Bill Billingsley who added on behalf of the family he would like to donate them to the National Archives.

"These letters give us a glimpse into his Navy career and his devotion to his family. In one letter he states, 'All Navy officers have the chance of becoming famous.' Think about that, I believe he achieved the fame that he wrote of," Bill Billingsley said.

The ceremony was organized by a committee of members of the Winona Community, American Legion Post 52 and Winona Rotary Club headed by Brig. Gen. Bill Lee, commander Mississippi State Guard.

Hank Holmes, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History spoke about the significance of the marker.

"The state historical marker program was created by the state legislature in 1948 to recognize people, places and events of historical significance in Mississippi. To date almost 1,000 markers have been erected across the state. I have the pleasure of attending ceremonies around the state, but it is rare that I have the opportunity to participate in a ceremony with national importance. I am proud that the people and city of Winona are marking this chapter in history."

For more news from NAS Meridian, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasmeridian/.