File:New England aviators 1914-1918; their portraits and their records (1919) (14595630777).jpg

English: First Lieutenant Willis (Will) Stetson Fitch (1896-1878) A.S., U.S.A., Tenth Aero Squadron Caproni, Fourteenth Group. He received his flight training in Italy and was one of the first 20 aviators on the Italian front in World War I. He flew Italian Caproni bombers in day and night combat over the Alps and was wounded in action. He volunteered for the U.S. Air Service in World War I and for service in the Army Air Forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and served as a colonel at the Pentagon during World War II. Between the wars, he was in the investment banking business in Boston. In 1938, he published a book, Wings in the Night, about his wartime experience. After World War II, Col. Fitch was named head of the aviation cadet section of the Army Air Forces in Washington. He was twice decorated with the Legion of Merit. (Willis Stetson Fitch, 82, Pilot in First World War)

Identifier: NewEnglandaviatVol1Tick (find matches)
Title: New England aviators 1914-1918; their portraits and their records
Year: 1919 (1910s)
Authors: Ticknor, Caroline, 1866-1937, ed
Subjects: Biography Aeronautics World War, 1914-1918
Publisher: Boston, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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-ping his bombs on two of the enemy aviation camps, and thenstarted back for the Italian lines. While still about 13 miles withinenemy territory, five Austrian scout planes overtook him from therear. Lieut. Fitch, who was acting as pilot, dived in order to obtainthe maximum speed, and then pursued a zigzag course in the racefor the Italian lines. Meanwhile his machine-gunner continued tofire at the pursuers, bringing down one of the Austrians. The otherfour Austrian airmen attacked in turn; but the fire from the Amer-ican frustrated them. Finally Lieut. Fitchs escort, from whom hehad been separated, saw his predicament and returned, driving awaythe enemy. Lieut. Fitch was honorably discharged at Garden City, N.Y., onDec. 28, 1918. With the Decoration from the Italian Government came a report,of which the following is a translation: Lieutenant Willis Fitch, U.S.A., was part of this escadrille from June20 to Nov. 14, 1918. He is an officer of a serious and well-disciplined char- ( 216 )
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WILLIS STETSON FITCH acter, and fulfilled his special duty with zeal and intelligence. He is of aloyal, open nature. Even when off duty he always conducted himself cor-rectly. He won the esteem of his superiors and the affection of his colleaguesand inferiors. A skilful pilot, full of enthusiasm, he took part, with his wholesoul, in the actions; he carried out eleven (11) bombardments, fulfillingconscientiously the various difficult tasks confided to him, distinguishinghimself by his calmness and surety, even in the most trying moments. Onaccount of the admirable way in which he conducted himself while flyingover the enemy lines, he was decorated with the Cross for Martial Meritand proposed for the bronze medal for Military Valor. (Signed) The Captain Commanding Escadrille Buttini (Countersigned) Major Commanding the Group Russi The work of this young and valorous pilot was always such as to evi-dence his faith in the cause for which his great country took up arms. (Signed) Chief of t

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