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〔Michael Webster grandson of Col William H Stovall, source personal letters of Col Stovall 〕 Lieutenant (later Colonel) William Howard Stovall (18 February 1895 - 11 May 1970) began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He went on to become a successful businessman, as well as serving his country a second time in World War II. On the latter occasion, he served once again with fellow aerial combat veterans from World War I, Frank O'Driscoll Hunter and Carl Spaatz. He also suffered the loss of his namesake son in aerial battle. Upon return from the war, Stovall won awards for his agricultural expertise. He died in his sleep at home, aged 75. ==Biography== William Howard Stovall was born on his family's cotton plantation in Stovall, Mississippi〔Franks, Bailey 2001, pp. 73-74.〕 on 18 February 1895.〔The Aerodrome website page on Stovall () Retrieved 15 August 2013.〕 He was the son of Civil War colonel William Howard Stovall.〔 He graduated from Lawrenceville School in 1913, then attended Yale in 1916.〔Franks, Dempsey 2001, p. 76.〕 He reported to the 13th Aero Squadron in July 1918. On 1 August, in company with Charles Biddle and two other American pilots, he shot down two German Albatros D.V fighters over Viéville-en-Haye. Then, from 15 September to 23 October 1918, he downed four of the new Fokker D.VII fighters. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.〔 He returned to the plantation after the war. During World War II, he served once again, joining the U.S. Army Air Forces as a major on 12 December 1941. He became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel for the Eighth Air Force in Britain under a World War I comrade, Brigadier General Frank O'Driscoll Hunter; the two of them worked for another World War I companion, General Carl Spaatz. Stovall's son, William Howard Stovall,〔()〕 also served in the Army Air Forces; he saw his father in England during Christmas 1944 before the younger Stovall was killed in action while engaging 7 enemy aircraft over Bergsteinfurt, Germany. He had to bail out of his battle damaged plane after a 50 mile running combat and he was to low and his chute did not deploy all the way. He downed 2 of the 7 in combat. Colonel Stovall met the pilot who thought he had accidentally killed his son. Colonel Stovall proved otherwise when he developed gun camera film that showed the pilot had not fired long enough and that the deflection angle of his guns were not anywhere near his son's plane.〔 From this war, Colonel Stovall brought home the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, British Order of the British Empire, French Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre, as well as campaign ribbons.〔 Once again, he returned to the family cotton plantation. His stewardship of the land earned him the Delta Council Achievement Award for 1967-1968 as the pre-eminent conservationist among local farmers. He also served as president of Cotton Council International. The Federal Land Bank granted him a 50th anniversary medal for his contributions to the cause of American agriculture just prior to his death.〔 He died at home in his sleep on 11 May 1970.〔 He was survived by his wife Eleanor, a daughter, and two sons.〔 He was the inspiration for the Colonel Harvey Stovall character in the book and movie Twelve O'Clock High. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「William Howard Stovall」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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