Morton McKinnon was born in South Dakota September 20, 1895. The photograph, below, was found in his biographical file at the Smithsonian (left sidebar). Early in his flying career he was assigned to the 96th Aero Squadron and flew deHavilland DH-4s on border patrol from El Paso, TX to Douglas, AZ. He was later transferred to the 12th Aero Squadron at Nogales, AZ. The NASM photo ID placed this photo at Douglas.

M.H. McKinnon, Date Unknown, Location Probably Douglas, AZ (Source: NASM)

The 1910 Census placed him living with his parents, John J. (age49) and Annie (38) in Canistota, SD. He was 13 years old and was employed as a paper delivery boy. He lived with his younger sister, Ruth (6). His father's occupation was coded as "Druggist." The 1920 Census placed him as a 2nd lieutenant at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, TX living in barracks with other soldiers and airmen. He was 23 years old and single.

Riverside Daily Press (CA), June 30, 1920 (Source: Woodling)

He married soon after the Census, because a news article, right, from the Riverside Daily Press (CA), June 30, 1920 announced his engagement. The 1926 San Antonio, TX city directory cited him and spouse Maxine living at 321 Hermitage Ct. He was identified as a lieutenant in the Air Service. I found no information about Maxine, but the 1940 Census, discussed below, cited him as single again.

McKinnon signed the Register at Tucson four times. The first two times were Monday, February 22, 1926 at 4:50PM, carrying a Sgt. Harwell as passenger westbound from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA. Six days later on February 28, 1926 at 1:40PM, he landed at Tucson headed eastbound from Santa Monica, CA with Sgt. Harwell. On this return flight they flew a deHavilland DH-4M2 McKinnon identified as 31362 headed back to San Antonio. Chances are good their first leg was flown in 31362.

His next landing at Tucson was on Monday, May 13, 1929 at 1:50PM. He carried with him one lieutenant A.G. Liggett (Arthur) in a Douglas O-2 he identified as 29-250. Based at Washington, DC Bolling Field, they arrived at Tucson from Riverside, CA and departed for eastbound for El Paso at 3:00PM the same day.

His final landing was on Friday, October 18, 1929 at 11:45AM. Based this time at Riverside, CA March Field, he arrived at Tucson westbound from El Paso. He departed home to Riverside at 2:10PM. He flew solo in 23-609, a deHavilland DH-4. Reasons were expressed for none of his visits.

A U.S. Immigrations form, below, dated Saturday, November 1,1930 documented that McKinnon carried Beatrice Allen from Agua Caliente, Mexico to Lindbergh Field, San Diego in the Register airplane NX757V. The airplane was a Fleet (S/N 338) which was logged three times in the Grand Central Air Terminal Register.

U.S. Imigrations Form, November 1, 1930 (Source: ancestry.com)

The Oakland Tribune, July 19, 1935, announced captain McKinnon's participation in a mass, 19-bomber reconnaisance mission of the western U.S. The mission was under the command of H.H. Arnold, and was to familiarize the pilots with flying over the western terrain.

Army & Navy Active List, 1948 (Source: ancestry.com)

The same newspaper, on August 28, 1936, announced McKinnon's promotion from captain to major. Several fellow Register pilots appeared on the same list, e.g Lucas Beau, Lester Maitland, Carlton Bond, Harry Halverson and one of his passengers, Arthur Liggett. A summary of his military career current to 1948 is at left.

Anniston Star (AL), July 1, 1940 (Source: Woodling)

In 1940, the Census listed him residing at Mitchel Field, NY in military barracks. He was 44 years old and identified as single. He was assigned to the 97th Observation Squadron. Similar to 1920 though, a news article appeared in the Anniston Star (AL), July 1, 1940 soon after the Census that announced his engagement, right.

M.H. McKinnon Grave Marker, November 22, 1973 (Source: findagrave.com)

A 1952 California voter registration list placed his residence at 528 N. Old Ranch Road, Arcadia, CA. He was registered Repubican. At the same address was registered Ruby W. McKinnon, a Democrat. We can only imagine the discussions regarding the candidacies of Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson.

McKinnon flew West November 22, 1973. He is interred at the Alexander City Cemetery in Alabama. His grave marker there is at right.

Dossier 2.2.3

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THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 06/23/19 REVISED: 07/24/19