James William Pearson


Captain James William Pearson was an American World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories while flying for the British Royal Air Force.

Early life

Pearson's home town was Nutley, New Jersey, despite his Connecticut birth.

World War I

Pearson was promoted to 2nd lieutenant in October 1917.
He was assigned to No. 23 Squadron RFC at Bertangles, which originally operated Spads. They later re-equipped with Sopwith Dolphins, and Pearson began to score confirmed victories of enemy aircraft. Between 30 May and 1 November 1918, he destroyed six enemy planes and drove six others down out of control.

Aerial victories

No.Date/timeFoeResultLocationNotes
130 May 1918 @ 1045 hoursAlbatros reconnaissance planeDriven down out of controlSouth of AlbertVictory shared with another pilot
23 June 1918 @ 1740 hoursPfalz D.III fighterSet afire and destroyedMontdidier
31 July 1918 @ 1135 hoursAlbatros D.V fighterDestroyedHangest
41 July 1918 @ 1140 hoursAlbatros D.V fighterDriven down out of controlHangest
51 August 1918 @ 0720 hoursHalberstadt reconnaissance planeSet afire and destroyedCaix-Harbionnieres
61 August 1918 @ 0740 hoursPfalz D.III fighterDriven down out of controlWarfusée
718 September 1918 @ 1215 hoursFokker D.VII fighterSet afire and destroyedLihaucourt
818 September 1918 @ 1215 hoursFokker D.VII fighterDriven down out of controlLihaucourt
928 October 1918 @ 1130 hoursFokker D.VII fighterDriven down out of controlBois de Nouvion
1028 October 1918 @ 1130 hoursFokker D.VII fighterDestroyedBois de Nouvion
1129 October 1918 @ 1300 hoursHalberstadt reconnaissance planeDriven down out of controlNortheast of Landrecis
121 November 1918 @ 1210 hoursDFW reconnaissance planeDestroyedPetit BartVictory shared with Harry Compton and another pilot

Postwar

Pearson founded the J. W. Pearson Textile Company, from which he retired in 1960. Upon his death in 1993, it was realized that Pearson was the last surviving American ace from World War I.

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieut. James William Pearson.

On 26 October, while leading a patrol, this officer observed a formation of enemy scouts. Diving to the attack, he engaged one and drove it down out of control. He then attacked a second, which he drove down to crash. In all he has accounted for seven enemy aircraft, setting at all times a fine example of skill and courageous determination.