GLENN COFFELT -1968

GLENN COFFELT Collection of James H. Smith, 11-13-04

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES via email from James H. Smith, 10-27-04      My wifes grandfather, Glenn Coffelt served with Robert Soubiran in the Lafayette Escadrille and the 103rd Pursuit Squadron. I have one order with Soubiran's signature on it and several photos of aircraft at the front during WWI. I have not been able to find any proof of the fact that Glenn was with the Lafayette Escadrille other than his pictures and stories of George Thenault and the lions. He has copies of orders for awards for the Lafayette Escadrille by General Petain.      Glenn also served with the 103rd Pursuit Squadon even after their return to the USA with the victory loan circus. I have a 3 day pass and a paper showing the circus' stops via railway during the tour of 1919.      By the time my wife was born, (1966), he was drinking heavily, his nephew told me he drank to forget what he saw over there. In 1968 he caught his chair on fire and did not get out of it until he was burned badly. He died 3 days later.      Any info you can give me as far as researching his enlistments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. James Smith. Editor's Note: If anyone reading this brief biography has any more information to share with us, please contact me. I will forward your message to James. Thank you.

 

U S 103rd PURSUIT SQUADRON Collection of James H. Smith, 11-13-04

 

Glenn Coffelt died in 1968 Personal communication from James H. Smith, 10-26-04   If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper

 

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