Capt. Elliot White
Springs, RFC/USAS
Victories:
14.08
Squadrons:
85 (RFC) 
148th Aero (USAS) 
Born:
31 July 1896 Fort Mill, South Carolina
Died: 15 October 1959
Awards:
British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), American Distinguished
Service Cross (DSC)
Notes
The son of Colonel
Leroy Springs, a wealthy textile manufacturer, Elliot Springs
attended the Culver Military Academy and Princeton. He enlisted
in the army in 1917 and was sent to England for training with the
Royal Flying Corps. In 1918, he was one of several pilots hand
picked by William Bishop to fly the S.E.5a with 85 Squadron in
France. After recovering from wounds received in action on 27
June 1918, he was reassigned to the 148th Pursuit Squadron which
was still under the operational control of the RFC. When the war
ended, Springs returned to the United States where he barnstormed
while writing " Warbirds: The Diary of an Unknown Aviator
." His book was largely based upon a collection of letters
written by his friend, John McGavock Grider, who was killed in
action while serving with 85 Squadron. " Warbirds " was
a best seller and Springs continued writing books based on his
experiences during World War I. At his father's request, he
returned to work at the family textile business in 1931. Recalled
to active duty in 1941, Springs served with the United States
Army Air Corps during World War II.
Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC)
"On 3 August
1918, whilst leading his patrol, which was escorting DH9's to
Bruges, this officer shot down in flames three Fokker biplanes
which were diving on the DH's and succeeded in driving off the
rest of the EA and escorted the bombers safely back to our lines.
On the morning of 22 August [1918], he attacked five Fokker
biplanes, one of them he shot down which was seen to crash in a
wood south of Velu. He engaged another EA and sent it down out of
control and immediately turned to attack another which he drove
east. Having shot away all his ammunition, Lieutenant Springs
pulled out of the fight. On the afternoon of 22 August [1918], he
engaged three Fokker biplanes that were diving on a lower flight.
One of the three pulled out of his dive; another turned east and
the third Lieutenant Springs shot down out of control. It was
last seen by one of the patrol diving into the ruins of Bapaume.
Lieutenant Springs has been on active service in France since 22
May 1918. He has destroyed five EA and driven d own out of
control, two. This officer has at all times shown the greatest
determination and courage and his work as Flight Commander in
this squadron has been marked by a rare combination of cool
judgement and most aggressive fighting tactics." DFC
citation, London Gazette, 1918
Distinguished
Service Cross (DSC)
"For
extraordinary heroism in action near Bapaume, France on 22 August
1918. Attacking three enemy planes (Fokker type) who were diving
on one of our planes, Lt. Springs after a short and skillful
fight, drove off two of the enemy and shot down the third. On the
same day, he attacked a formation of five enemy planes (Fokker
type) and after shooting down one plane was forced to retire
because of lack of ammunition." DSC citation
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