WALTER J. SHAFFER 1891-1974

 

Retired Eastern Air Lines Captain Walter Shaffer, 83, who began his flying career with the French Foreign Legion, died February 27, 1974 after a brief illness.      In 1917 Shaffer became a fighter pilot for the Lafayette Escadrille shooting down one enemy aircraft before being shot down himself and imprisoned in Belgium. He escaped and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with three palms and the Medaille Militaire.      After World War I he barnstormed and then became an air mail pilot on the night run between New York and Washington. In World War II he served in the Pacific with the Air Transport Command.      He flew for Eastern Air Lines until his retirement.      Survivors include two daughters, a sister and two brothers. From The Early Birds of Aviation CHIRP January 1975, Number 81

 

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