Clarence K. Bronson
Clarence K. Bronson (21 July 1888 – 8 November 1916) was a pioneer aviator in the United States Navy.
Clarence K. Bronson | |
|---|---|
 Five early American naval aviators in Pensacola, c. 1915. From left: Lt. (j.g.) Walter A. Edwards USN, Lt. (j.g.) Clarence K. Bronson USN, Lt. (j.g.) Godfrey Chevalier USN, 2nd Lt. William M. McIlvain USMC, and Lt. (j.g.) Kenneth Whiting USN. | |
| Born | July 21, 1888 Bushnell, Illinois |
| Died | November 8, 1916 (aged 28) Indian Head, Maryland |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1906-1916 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant (junior grade) |
| Unit | Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center |
Bronson was born in Bushnell, Illinois, on 21 July 1888 and was a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1910. After service afloat, he was trained in aviation in 1914 at the Curtiss Aeroplane Company in Hammondsport, New York, and at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Lieutenant (junior grade) Bronson was killed at the Naval Proving Ground Indianhead, Indianhead, Maryland, on 8 November 1916, while testing experimental aerial bombs.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer USS Clarence K. Bronson (DD-668) was named in his honor.
On November 19th 1942 NAS Bronson Field was commissioned in his name. Although it has been abandoned for many years, it is still used by r/c modelers who still fly daily in memory of Lt. Bronson #15. Thank you Sir for your sacrifice to our country.
Attribution
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
