1887-1962 |
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J. Dickinson Este. When World War I is three years old and military aviation is perking up in the States, Jonathan Dickinson Este, (now Rockwood Lane, Greenwich, Conn.) already a manufacturer of mechanical devices convinces the War Department it would make a mistake if his services were not utilized. He is born in Philadelphia March 12, 1887, had three years at St. Johns military school and graduates from St. Lukes, and from Princeton as a C.E., 1909. He had experience in motorcycles, automobiles and racing plus his manufacturing and begins flying lessons under Walter E. Johnson at Glendinning's "Philadelphia School of Aviation" the summer of 1916. By November 15, 1916 he has his seaplane ceretificate No. 59 of the Aero Club. After Phil Roosevelt checks his record he is accepted for enlistment at Fort Monroe, April 15, 1917, and is ordered to active duty as Sergent Este, Signal Enlisted Reserve Corp, under well-known section 55, Act of June 3, 1916, at the Curtiss contract school at Newport News. By June 5 Victor Carlstrom has given him nearly 15 hours, on JN4s and in another week passes his RMA test and is recommended for commission. He then finds himself, July 2, 1917, at Kelly Field as First Lieutenant, Aviation Section, Signal Officers Reserve Corps, with "Bob" Olds and Randolph G. Page, Carl Spatz and others present. In August he is commanding officer of the 32nd Provisional Aero Squadron and in October he is in France with his squadron. After losing his bedding roll and narrowly missing Issoudun he is assigned in Paris as policy and liaison officer. In March he does reach Issoudun, reports on various fields, takes the gunnery course at Cazaux, returns to the III A.I.C. and from there to Romorantin on test flying. As pilot of the 13th Squadron, 2nd Pursuit Group, 1st Army, (Spad), he is cited for extraordinary heroism in action near Chambley on September 13, 1918, destroying one EA and driving another out of control. A few days later his CO, Charles J. Biddle also recommends him for a Captaincy which comes through in time. After Armistice he is relieved to return to the United States and is honorably discharged......... ..president of the United States Combustion Corporation. courtesy of Steve Remington - CollectAir |
J. Dickinson Este is listed as one of the CO's. of the website of The Aerodrome |
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We have just learned that J. Dickinson Este died last September. It is lamentable that no previous information was received although
several inquiries from members have reached us in the last few months. October 1962, Number 69 |
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