Thomas Etholen Selfridge

Thomas Etholen Selfridge. . , First military officer in the world to pilot an airplane, solo, in flight , May 19, 1908 , Hammondsport, New York, First person in the world to lose his life as the result of an airplane accident , September 17, 1908 , Fort Myer, Virginia, Born in San Francisco, California February 8, 1882; graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1903; First Lieutenant, Field Artillery. Assigned to the Signal Corps for aeronautic duties, United States Army. Lt. Selfridge had enthusiastic interest and extended experience in aeronautics. In 1907 he ascended 168 feet in a large tetrahedral kite developed by Alexander Graham Bell. Lt. Selfridge made a number of balloon ascensions, qualified as pilot of the Army’s first dirigible airship. Studied the science of flight. Participated in the design of four airplanes and wrote detailed accounts of aviation progress. He was age 26 when he died. Had he lived he would have been one of our army’s most brilliant leaders in aeronautics. He was buried with full military honors in nearby Arlington Cemetery., Dedicated by the Early Birds of Aviation , as a memorial to Lieutenant Selfridge , and to all who have sacrificed their lives in the development of human flight, October 29, 1970 . Sculpture by Captain Ralph S. Barnaby, USN.