Frank H. Conant II – Lieutenant, United States Navy

.TO BURY NAVY FLIER AT ARLINGTON TODAY
Department Will Accord Full Honors To Lieutenant Conant, Who Died In Plane Crash
HIS CHIEFS PAY TRIBUTE
Wilbur, Warner and Rear Admiral Moffett Praise The Aviator’s Service To His Country

WASHINGTON, November 1, 1926 – Lieutenant Frank H. Conant 2nd, one the the Navy’s best airplane pilots, who was killed in the crash of his plane in Winter Harbor, Virginia, on Saturday, while on a test flight for the Schneider Cup race at Hampton Roads, November 11, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery tomorrow with full military honors.

His body will be brought to Washington tomorrow morning by boat from Norfolk, where it was taken after it had been recovered from the wrecked plane.  It will lie in state in All Souls’ Memorial Church here until 10 A.M., when a short prayer will be recited before it is taken to Arlington at 11 o’clock.

The Navy Band and two companies of enlisted men from the Navy Yard and the Anacostia Naval Air Station will form the escort. THe burial will be on Dewey’s Knoll, close to the graves of the victims of the Shenandoah.

The services as the Cemetery will be conducted by Chaplain C. H. Dickens, a squad of seamen will fire three volleys and a Navy bugler will sound taps.

The honorary pallbearers, selected from the men who served with Lieutenant Conant, will be Lieutenant Commander A. C. Davis and Lieutenants George T. Cuddihy, A. P. Flag, W. G. Tomlinson, L. W. Curtin and J. Perry.

Tribute was paid to the the aviator today in statements issued by Secretary of the Navy Wilbur, Edward P. Warner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aeronautics, and Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Bureau of Naval Aeronautics.

Secretary Wilbur said: “The death Lieutenant Conant is a severe loss to the Navy and to aviation.  Although but a comparatively few years in the aviation service of the Navy, he had attained an admirable and enviable record for professional proficiency.  He carried out many missions fearlessly and conscientiously, with great credit to himself and to the Navy.  He died in the performance of his duty.”

Assistant secretary Warner said: “In the death of Lieutenant Conant Naval Aviation loses an officer who, although young in the service, had already made a distinguished name for himself.  Admired by his comrades for his professional skill, he was loved for his ready wit and invariable cheerfulness.  His loss will be very deeply felt.”

Rear Admiral Moffett said: “With the passing of Lieutenant Conant the United States Navy has lost one of its most skillful and resourceful aviators and one of its finest young officers.

“Besides the admiration be aroused by his masterful handling of aircraft the had endeared himself to every one in whom he came in contact by his cheerful manner and attractive personality.  His was a splendid character.  He is another pioneer who has made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country.  Understanding him so well, I know that he contributed his all willingly and without regret.”

Among the messages of sympathy received at the Navy Department today was one from Major Mario de Bernardi in behalf of the Italian Schneider Cup team, which read: “We have learned with great regret of the loss of Lieutenant Conant and wish to convey to you and through you to his family our most sincere sympathy and condolences.”

The death of Lieutenant Conant causes no change in the program for the Schneider Cup races.  Lieutenant C. C. Champion, who was first alternate for a place on the team, was selected and approved today to fill the vacancy.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard