William Portwood Erwin
William Portwood Erwin in 1918
Nickname(s)	Bill
Born	(1895-10-18)October 18, 1895 Ryan, Oklahoma, USA
Died	August 19, 1927(1927-08-19) (aged 31) (disappeared) Pacific Ocean
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	Air Service, United States Army
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	Air Service, United States Army 1st Aero Squadron
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross, French Croix de Guerre

Lieutenant William Portwood Erwin (18 October 1895 – 19 August 1927) was an American World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. ^[1] On 19 August 1927, he disappeared during the Dole Air Race from Oakland, California to Hawaii.

Early life

William Portwood Erwin was the son of W. A. Erwin of Chicago. ^[2] The younger Erwin, born elsewhere, was raised primarily in Chicago. Two sources claim he was born in Amarillo, Texas. ^{[1] [3]}

World War I

Erwin was assigned to the 1st Aero Squadron on 19 July 1918. As a Salmson 2A2 pilot, he scored his victories between 15 September and 22 October 1918; half of them were with gunner Arthur Easterbrook. ^[3]

Postwar

Erwin is believed to have died during the Dole Air Race between Oakland, California, and Hawaii. ^[3] He flew the Dallas Spirit, a custom aircraft built by the Swallow Airplane Company on credit for the attempt. Erwin failed to return from a search for two other missing competitors, the Miss Doran and The Golden Eagle, and is presumed drowned 19 August 1927. ^[4]

See also

• List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea
• List of World War I flying aces from the United States

References

Bibliography

• American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN  1-84176-375-6, ISBN  978-1-84176-375-0.
• Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918 Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN  0-948817-54-2, ISBN  978-0-948817-54-0.