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Maj William Harrison Saunders

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Birth	:	20 Jun 1892 Stateburg, Sumter County, South Carolina, USA
Death	:	5 Nov 1919 Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma, USA
Burial	:	Church of the Holy Cross Cemetery, Stateburg, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate	:	33.9529340, -80.5319160
Inscription	:	Major William Harrison Saunders J.M.A. - D.S.C. First Pilot Observer of the United States Army Commander of the 12th Aero Squadron A.E.F. Only Son of William L. & Ann Catherine Saunders June 20, 18
Description	:	The following biography is taken from "Fifty-First Annual Report of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, June 14th, 1920." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Major William Harrison Saunders died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on November 5th, 1919, from injuries received on October 27th, when the airplane, in which he and Colonel Brereton were flying, fell in flames from an explosion as they were landing. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William... Read More	The following biography is taken from "Fifty-First Annual Report of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, June 14th, 1920." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Major William Harrison Saunders died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on November 5th, 1919, from injuries received on October 27th, when the airplane, in which he and Colonel Brereton were flying, fell in flames from an explosion as they were landing. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Saunders of Stateburg, Sumter County, South Carolina, where he was born on June 20th, 1892, being the grandson of Confederate Lieutenant General Richard Herron Anderson. At the age of three years he learned to read fluently; this early evidence of a brilliant mind was well sustained throughout his short career. Major Saunders attended the Naval Academy at Annapolis for three years prior to entering the West Point Military Academy, from which institution he graduated among the Engineers in the class of April 1917. After graduation he selected the Field Artillery. At the expiration of a few weeks furlough, he was ordered to6 Fort Sam Houston, Texas. During the summer of 1917 he went overseas with the 7th Field Artillery of the First Division. He was commissioned Captain of Field Artillery on August 5th, 1917. While in France he was transferred to the Air Service and trained as an Aero Observer at Valdahon Aeronautical Observation School, Second Aviation Instruction Center. After completing this training he reported to a French squadron in November 1917. In February 1918, Major Saunders, then Captain Saunders, attended the Aerial Gunnery School at Cazaux. Completing the course March 7th, 1918, he attained at this school the highest average ever made by an American. On his diploma his good work is commended and it is therein stated that: "He set an example to his comrades and subordinates of constant work, he obtained upon examination remarkable results." Major Saunders trained, commanded and was Chief Observer of the 12th Aero Squadron, which as regards efficiency was rated by our officers and by the Germans as one of the two outstanding Observation Squadrons of the American army, so stated in the U. S. Air Service Magazine of April 1919. Major Saunders was the first American Observer to qualify as a pilot, and the first American in Observation Aviation to perform a mission over the lines-artillery reglage. His squadron was the first to be assigned to a division. "It was not an unusual thing for him to fly from six to eight hours a day regulating artillery fire and co-operating with the infantry." He participated in the battles on the Champagne, Toul Sector, Luneville Sector, and at Chateau Thierry. Major Saunders was cited by General Pershing for distinguished and exceptional gallantry at Toul Sector on May 25th, 1918. On May 30th he with his pilot was recommended for the Croix-de-Guerre for extraordinary presence of mind and gallantry on the Toul Sector: "Amid the most terrific concentration of machine gun fire, they dove at the oncoming reinforcements of hostile troops, at the extremely low altitude of one hundred meters, poured over five hundred rounds into the enemy, with their motor disabled, their wireless antennae completely severed and their plane riddled by bullets they. Continued this splendid work until the enemy troops were demoralized." He was rated as Reserve Military Aviator at Tours, France, on July 17th, 1918. Being quite a linguist, he was frequently called upon to act as interpreter. Major Saunders was sent back to the United States in August 1918, on a special mission of instruction to various posts. While performing this duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he received orders to return to France; desiring to become a Mason before again leaving this country, a special dispensation was granted him and he accomplished the necessary' study and passed his examination receiving his thirty-second degree as a Mason and Shriner in one month. He was elected President of the large Armistice class of Masons who received their degrees in Oklahoma, November, 1918. The signing of the armistice prevented his return to France and Major Saunders was retained at Fort Sill, where he discharged all duties and responsibilities laid upon him in a manner which won the admiration and affection of those associated with him. On January 17th, 1919, he was made Officer in Charge of Flying at Post Field, Fort Sill, where he remained until March 1919, when he was transferred to the office of the Director of the Air Service at Washington, D.C., and was appointed Assistant Chief of Air Service operations. About this time he was commissioned Major in the Air Service. On April 21st, 1919, Major Saunders received a rating as Junior Military Aviator "for distinguished service and extraordinary devotion to duty." He was appointed on June 24th, 1919, Assistant Chief of Operations Division. On October 2nd, Major William H. Saunders, Junior Military Aviator, Air Service Aeronautics, Captains Harry C. Drayton and Lloyd N. Keeshing, Air Service Aeronautics, were ordered to participate in the Transcontinental Reliability and Endurance Contest, their Martin bombing plane was wrecked at Utah, Nebraska. Major Saunders was not piloting at the time of this disaster. On September 29th, 1919, Major Saunders was appointed to be one of six officers selected to form a special board of inspection, consultation and recommendation concerning matters of importance to the Field Artillery and Coast Artillery in connection with the Air Service; this board was directed to convene during October at Fort Sill, and to visit other places that might be necessary. He met his death while executing this order. Major Saunders was accredited by high ranking officers who were in a position to know, with being the "very best observer in the American Army." He was one of the most efficient though unassuming officers in the Air Service, possessed of unusual ability, his undaunted courage, perseverance and fortitude were combined with a genial disposition, a scintillating wit, much personal magnetism and a warm heart, full of appreciation, loyalty and consideration for others. These qualities were evinced to an extraordinary degree through nine days of intense suffering and through the hours of his extremity; at that time those around him marveled at the greatness, the Christ-like sweetness of this young soldier whose life was passing to the great beyond. When his rest came a brother officer said: "Though a boy in years, a great man is dead." Besides the citation given him by General John J. Pershing, Commander in' Chief, Major Saunders received a special citation from Brigadier General William Mitchell, Commander of the Air Service. He was also recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross "for conspicuous gallantry in action;" he "showed the greatest courage, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty in the region of Layheville and Richecourt in the Toul Sector, May 25th, 1918." "The successful raid. made by the 26th Division the next day was due in large measure to this brave observer who went beyond all call of duty." (MOTHER.)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Maj William Harrison Saunders's memorial?
Maj William Harrison Saunders's memorial is located at: Church of the Holy Cross Cemetery, Stateburg, Sumter County, USA.
When did Maj William Harrison Saunders death?
Maj William Harrison Saunders death on 5 Nov 1919 in Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Maj William Harrison Saunders's memorial?
Latitude: 33.9529340
Longitude: -80.5319160

Family Members:

Parent

William Leonidas Saunders

(1857 - 1932)

Ann Catherine Anderson Saunders

(1864 - 1928)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Hooper Cemetery
Stateburg, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9553330, -80.5351670

2. Wayman AME Chapel Cemetery
Stateburg, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9493670, -80.5293090

3. Wayman Chapel Cemetery
Stateburg, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9493529, -80.5288466

4. Ellison Cemetery
Sumter, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9583570, -80.5373800

5. High Hill Baptist Church
Dalzell, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9849450, -80.5306550

6. High Hills AME Church Cemetery
Sumter, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9851670, -80.5321210

7. High Hills Baptist Church Cemetery
Stateburg, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9851990, -80.5343280

8. Thomas Sumter Memorial Park
Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9869003, -80.5175018

9. Springbank Baptist Church Cemetery
Dalzell, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9980270, -80.5114170

10. Bethel AME Cemetery
Wedgefield, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9052720, -80.5215160

11. Saint Michael AME Church Cemetery
Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9324850, -80.4788530

12. Long Branch Baptist Church Cemetery
Dalzell, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9952740, -80.4940580

13. Cherryvale Plantation Cemetery
Cherryvale, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9627130, -80.4632250

14. Atkinson Cemetery
Horatio, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0015460, -80.5732360

15. Troublefield Family Cemetery
Wedgefield, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.8919570, -80.5230800

16. Wedgefield Baptist Church Cemetery
Wedgefield, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.8928790, -80.5152900

17. Wedgefield Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Wedgefield, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.8913490, -80.5161750

18. Robinson Cemetery
Sumter, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9330200, -80.4565590

19. Singleton Cemetery
Sumter, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9452500, -80.4533500

20. Saint Paul AME Church Cemetery
Sumter, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9424090, -80.4517920

21. Aycock Cemetery
Wedgefield, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.8929000, -80.4902330

22. Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery
Dalzell, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0143630, -80.4887390

23. Saint Luke's AME Church Cemetery
Sumter, Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9636190, -80.4448110

24. Spann Family Cemetery
Sumter County, USA
Coordinate: 33.9930200, -80.4525500