David Sinton Ingalls First Ace for the US Navy

Ensign David S. Ingalls made history on September 24, 1918, when he became the first U.S. Navy ace. Flying a Sopwith Camel biplane with the British Royal Air Force (RAF), Ingalls achieved his fifth aerial victory, solidifying his status as an ace. His service with the RAF during World War I was part of a broader collaboration where some American pilots flew with Allied forces before the U.S. military had fully established its own air combat units.

Ingalls' accomplishments marked a significant milestone for naval aviation, demonstrating the effectiveness of U.S. naval aviators in air combat and helping to pave the way for future U.S. Navy aviation developments.

David Sinton Ingalls, born on January 28, 1899, in Cleveland, Ohio, was a prominent figure in early U.S. naval aviation and the first U.S. Navy ace. Coming from a distinguished family—his grandfather, Melville E. Ingalls, was a noted industrialist—David enjoyed a privileged upbringing that included education at Yale University. However, World War I interrupted his studies, and Ingalls, eager to serve, joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1917. At just 18, he became a pilot and was assigned to the British Royal Air Force (RAF), as the U.S. Navy's air combat units were still in development.

Flying a Sopwith Camel with No. 213 Squadron of the RAF, Ingalls quickly made a name for himself in combat. Between August and September 1918, he shot down five enemy aircraft and four observation balloons, becoming the first and only U.S. Navy ace of World War I. His skill and bravery in the skies earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Legion of Honor.

After the war, Ingalls returned to Yale, finished his studies, and then entered a life of public service and business. He pursued a career in politics and aviation, serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aeronautics from 1929 to 1932, where he played a key role in modernizing naval aviation. During World War II, Ingalls returned to service as a commander in the Navy, overseeing air operations at Pearl Harbor. After his military career, he became involved in various business ventures and continued to support aviation.

Ingalls' legacy as a trailblazer in naval aviation and his contribution to both world wars remain significant. He passed away on April 26, 1985, leaving behind a lasting impact on U.S. military aviation.