Jerry Cox Vasconcells

Captain Jerry Cox Vasconcells (December 3, 1892 – April 17, 1950) was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.^[1] Vasconcells was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in its first ceremony of 1969.^[2]

Jerry Cox Vasconcells
Captain Jerry Cox Vasconcells, 27th Aero Squadron, Commander, 185th Aero Squadron
Born	(1892-12-03)December 3, 1892 Lyons, Kansas, United States
Died	April 17, 1950(1950-04-17) (aged 57) Denver, Colorado, USA
Allegiance	United States
Branch	Air Service, United States Army
Rank	Captain
Unit	27th Aero Squadron
Commands	185th Aero Squadron
Battles / wars	World War I
Awards	French Croix de Guerre

Biography

Early years

Jerry Vasconcells was born in Lyons, Kansas on December 3, 1892. He attended East High School, in Denver, Colorado, attended Dartmouth College, and then graduated from the University of Denver Law School.^[2]

Military service

Vasconcells joined the U.S. Army Air Corps^[3] at the onset of World War I, and was sent to France in 1917 to fly combat. While flying the SPAD^[4] biplane in combat, he was shot down, but with skilled flying he landed in "no man's land" and was rescued by Allied soldiers. He became an "ace" with a score of six airplanes^[5] and two balloons. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and other honors from both the French and American governments.^[2] Vasconcells was a flight commander for the 27th Aero Squadron of the 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in 1918, and by war's end he was in command of the 185th Aero Squadron, the first night pursuit squadron of the AEF.^[5] Jerry Vasconcells was Colorado's only ace of the war.^[5]

Vasconcells' military career included associations with other renown aviators, including Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, Gen. Billy Mitchell and Frank Luke. In 1919, he acquired a Military Aviator flight rating and was promoted to major. Upon returning to the United States, he had numerous health issues relating to his military flying.

Commercial businesses

He and Mayor Benjamin F. Stapleton established Denver's Municipal Airfield with scheduled commercial flight service. During his commercial aviation career in Denver, he served two terms as chairman of the Colorado Aeronautics Commission, and helped organize the first Colorado Air Meet in 1921.^[2] Jerry helped to create and organize the Quiet Birdmen Association.

He died at his home in Denver in 1950.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Biography portal

• List of World War I flying aces from the United States

Original ten 1969 Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Laureates

• Ivy Baldwin
• Allan F. Bonnalie
• Ira Boyd "Bumps" Humphreys^[6]
• Albert E. Humphreys^[7]
• Will D. "Billy" Parker^[8]
• Chriss J. Peterson^[9]
• Reginald Sinclaire^[10]
• George W. Thompson
• Frank A. Van Dersarl
• Jerry Cox Vasconcells
• List of current Hall of Fame Laureates^[usurped]