McConnell AFB lounge renamed to honor WWI aviation hero
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
Lt. Erwin Bleckleyin his aviation 'bear suit'WWI hometown hero, and Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Erwin Bleckley of Wichita, KS, will be honored this week at Wichita's McConnell Air Force Base. During an official ceremony on Friday, Jan 18, the Air Force Base's 'Signatures Lounge' at the Dole Entertainment Center will be renamed the 'Bleckley Lounge'
Lt. Bleckley, and his pilot, Lt. Harold Goettler, were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions during World War I. They perished while attempting to drop supplies to the 'Lost Battalion', during that infantry unit's desperate stand in October 1918. In that instance, nine companies of the United States 77th Division (roughly 554 men) were isolated by German forces after an American attack in the Argonne Forest. Both Bleckley and Goettler lost their lives when their aircraft was brought down by enemy fire.
WW1CC Commissioner Jerry Hester participated in the effort to gain Lieutenant Bleckley recognition. "This person was such a hero, I consider this recognition long overdue. My personal thanks go to the team members who worked together rot make this special day happen -- the U.S. Air Force's 22nd Air Refueling Wing, and the local Wichita members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars."
Erwin Bleckley committed himself early to service in the war effort. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Kansas National Guard Field Artillery in July 1917, and was sent to France in March 1918. When the U.S. Army's Air Corps needed artillery officers, to serve as aerial observers, Bleckley volunteered. After training, he was assigned to the 50th Aero Squadron for combat duty in August 1918. Bleckley began flying missions as an observer with pilot Lt. Harold E. Goettler at the outset of the Allied St. Mihiel Offensive on Sept. 12, 1918.
On 2 October, the U.S. Army's 77th Infantry Division launched an attack into the Argonne Forest, under the belief that French forces were supporting their left flank and two American units including the 92nd Infantry Division were supporting their right. However, neither of these units were extended as far as the 77th Division soldiers -- leaving them vulnerable, and exposed.
The 77th's ground units found themselves surrounded by German forces, and for the next six days, suffered heavy losses, as they fight an intense battle to free themselves The isolated battalion suffered many hardships -- food was scarce, and water was available only by crawling, under fire, to a nearby stream. Ammunition ran low. Communications were almost entirely cut off, and the Americans were even bombarded by shells of friendly-fire.
Aerial resupply was desperately needed, but very dangerous. Foliage covered the Lost Battalion's location, and enemy guns were hidden everywhere. Brigadier General Billy Mitchell wrote later that the opposing German soldiers had been completely effective in preventing supplies being air-dropped to the battalion.
Nonetheless, despite the risks, Blakely and Goettler stepped forward multiple times to help the surrounded men. Blakeley's Medal of Honor citation reads:
"2d Lt. Bleckley, with his pilot, 1st Lt. Harold E. Goettler, Air Service, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division, which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of his mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in fatal wounds to 2d Lt. Bleckley, who died before he could be taken to a hospital. In attempting and performing this mission 2d Lt. Bleckley showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage, and valor."
Signatures Lounge, at the Dole Center of McConnell Air Force Base.
DH-4 aircraft like the one flown by Lt. Goettler and Lt. Bleakley
Lt. Erwin Bleckley seated in his aircraftobservation seat, manning the machine guns.
WWI observer Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley Medal of Honor on display in the Early Years Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)