Stephen Potter (officer): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Military Person |
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|lived = [[26 December]] [[1896]] – [[25 April]] [[1918]] |
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|placeofbirth = [[Saginaw, Michigan]] |
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|placeofdeath = [[North Sea]] |
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|nickname = |
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|allegiance = [[United States of America]] |
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|serviceyears = 1917–8 |
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|rank = [[Ensign (rank)|Ensign]], [[United States Navy|USNR]] |
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}} |
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Ensign '''Stephen Potter''', USN ([[26 December]] [[1896]] – [[25 April]] [[1918]]) was a [[U.S. Navy]] officer and early [[Naval Aviator]], who was killed in action during [[World War I]]. He was a member of the second [[Yale University]] unit which left college in April 1917 to enter [[Naval aviation|naval aviation]]. He was a native of [[Saginaw, Michigan]]. |
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==Training== |
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Potter trained with [[Volunteer Aerial Coast Patrol]] Unit No. 2 at [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo, N.Y.]], and was commissioned [[ensign (rank)|ensign]] on [[2 November]] [[1917]]. Ensign Potter volunteered to go overseas immediately and was assigned to the Advanced School at Montchic, [[Gironde]], [[France]]. He was later assigned to the British Royal Naval Air Station at [[Felixstowe]], [[England]]. |
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==Action and Distinctions== |
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As second pilot to a British captain on [[North Sea]] service, Ensign Potter won the distinction of being the first American naval aviator to shoot down a [[Germany|German]] [[seaplane]]. He flew from the North Sea Station on [[25 April]] [[1918]] in company with another plane. The pair spotted two German planes heading toward them approximately six miles from [[North Hinder Light]]. Five additional enemy planes joined them, and together the seven German combatants attacked the two British aircraft. Ensign Potter perished after his plane was shot down in the ensuing action. |
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The [[World War II]] destroyer [[USS Stephen Potter (DD-538)|USS ''Stephen Potter'']] (DD-538), ([[1943]]–[[1972]]), was named in his honor. |
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== References == |
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{{DANFS}} |
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== External links == |
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*[http://history.navy.mil/danfs/s18/stephen_potter.htm ''USS Stephen Potter'' (history.navy.mil)] |
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[[Category:1896 births|Potter, Stephen]] |
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[[Category:1918 deaths|Potter, Stephen]] |
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[[Category:American World War I veterans|Potter, Stephen]] |
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[[Category:Naval aviators|Potter, Stephen]] |
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[[Category:People from Michigan|Potter, Stephen]] |
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[[Category:United States Navy officers|Potter, Stephen]] |
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[[Category:American World War I killed in action|Potter, Stephen]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:53, 23 July 2022
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