Lewis A. Dayton was a career officer in the United States Air Service and its successors through the United States Air Force. He was born June 17, 1892.

The New York State Enumeration of Inhabitants for June 1, 1915 identifies Lewis at age 22 living with his father, mother, sister and maternal grandmother at 619 13th Street in Niagara Falls, NY. His occupation was listed as "Tree Surgeon."

Lewis was mustered into the New York State National Guard as a private July 5, 1916, as indicated in the enlistment form, below. We learn that he was a 5' 7.75" tall with blue eyes and brown hair. He was a "Tree Expert." Note, too, the excellent penmanship exhibited by the clerk.

L.A. Dayton, Army Enlistment Form, 1916 (Source: ancestry.com)

Dayton learned to fly at Gerstner Field, Louisiana, in 1918-19, as indicated on his Army record, below, from ancestry.com. 

Army Record, Ca. 1919 (Source: ancestry.com)

Dayton's military record through 1948 is below, left. He moved steadily through the ranks during the 1920s and 30s, achiving the rank of colonel during WWII.

Army & Air Force Register, 1948 (Source: ancestry.com)

Continuing on a personal and residential level, the U.S. Census for 1920 listed Lewis as living at Marfa, TX with the 90th Aero Squadron. He was a 27 year old bachelor who listed his occupation as "Tree Expert" in the "Estates" industry.

The U.S. Census for 1930 had Lewis (at age 38) living at Brooks Field, Texas with his wife Kathryn A. (37, whom he married April 3, 1920), son Lewis, Jr. (9), daughter Dorothy A (7), son Jack M. (4), son Pat A. (1), father Lewis P. (76) and mother-in-law Bonnie H. (76). He identified his occupation as "officer" in the "Army." The 1920s was a productive decade for Lewis in building his family.

It is during this time we find Dayton first landing at Tucson. He visited first on Saturday, June 22, 1929 at 1:20PM. He carried a single passenger he identified as Lt. R.W. Douglass, Jr. Based at San Antonio, TX, Brooks Field, they arrived at Tucson from Marfa, TX in the Douglas O-2K he identified as 29-207. They remained on the ground 40 minutes before departing westbound for Riverside, CA, March Field.

Perth (Australia) Daily Times, December 5, 1937 (Source: Web)

His second visit was about three years later, on Thursday, April 14, 1932 at 11:45AM. Promoted to captain, this time he was flying the Boeing P-12-B he identified as 29-337. Still based at San Antonio, he arrived from Marfa and departed for San Antonio the same day. No reasons were cited for either of his flights.

Dayton was involved in at least one unusual incident. At right, from the Perth (Australia) Daily Times of December 5, 1937 we find Dayton's back seater abandoning ship because of a misunderstood signal in the days before cockpit intercoms.

There is no biographical file for pilot Dayton at the Smithsonian. If you have information to help fill in the blanks, please let me KNOW.

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