LT. CURTIS KINNEY

Kinney, from Mount Vernon, Ohio was studying architecture in Munich when the First World War began.  After booking passage home through Holland he returned to the U.S. where he settled in his trade in New York City.  In 1917, with America's entry into the war, Kinney attempted to enlist in the U.S. Aviation Service but after being turned down traveled to Canada where he was accepted for training into the Royal Flying Corps.  Once in England his proficiency as a pilot made him a candidate for further training on the Sopwith Camel and he was eventually posted to R.A.F. No. 3 Squadron   He was to serve until June 1918 with No. 3 until a serious wounding to his leg removed him from action.  After hospitalization and rehabilitation he was re-posted to No. 3 and arrived back in France just in time for the Armistice. 

During the war, Kinney was involved in the air battle of April 20, 1918 with Manfred Von Richthofen's "Flying Circus".   No. 3's Commanding Officer, Major Raymond-Barker and Lt. D.G. Lewis were both shot down in this fight, becoming The Red Baron's last two victories.

In 1919 Kinney returned hoe to Mount Vernon where he joined the family department store and later became it's president.