Espace 1LT Robert Hewins Stiles -13th Aero Squadron
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Details:
On the north side of the trailside memorial. Commemorative Object
A series (25-30) of large placard displays remembering 1LT Robert H. Stiles of the 13th Aero Squadron, 2nd Pursuit Group who was killed in action near this location during the Battle of St. Mihiel on September 16, 1918.
The space remembers 1LT Stiles following his family from departing England on the Mayflower to his death in combat during First World War. His family could trace it heritage sailing on the ship Mayflower to the then British colonies. Anther relative, Captain Jacob Stiles, his Great-Great-Great Grandafter was a veteran f the American Revolution fighting at the Battle of Saratoga.
The displays also describe 1LT Stiles life in Fitchburg, Massachusetts; attendance at Harvard and his work as editor of the "Harvard Crimson" and training to become a pilot. The displays then highlight his combat experience flying with the US Air Service during the war along with Captain Hobey Baker. A placard also describes the experience of fellow Harvard Student 2LT Charles Warner Plummer who was killed in action as an observer with the 88th Aero Squadron in August 1918.
The displays highlight the day he was killed by enemy fighters and subsequent burial and recovery. 1LT Stiles brother, LT Walter Frankling Stiles, a Quartermaster Officer was important to the discovery of Robert's body and subsequent burial in the nearby St. Mihiel American Cemetery.
This memorial was dedicated in 2018.
See sites Pournoy-la-Chetive Church and Cemetery for other memorials regarding 1LT Stiles.
Monument Text:
See photos
Many of the placards are written in French, some also include English.
Commemorates:
People:
Hobart Amary Hare 'Hobey' Baker
Units:
101st Field Artillery Regiment (75 mm), 51st Field Artillery Brigade
103rd Aero Squadron
13th Aero Squadron
13th Aero Squadron, 2nd Pursuit Group
3rd Aviation Instruction Center
88th Aero Squadron
Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment
Quartermaster Corps
US Army Air Service
Wars:
American Revolutionary War
WWI
Battles:
Saint Mihiel
Other images :
