File:New England aviators 1914-1918; their portraits and their records (1919) (14576661190).jpg

English: First Lieutenant Junius Alexander Richards, A.S., U.S.A., 9th Aero Squadron. Son of Reuben Francis Richards (deceased) and Maria Louisa Alexander (now Mrs. Charles Frost Aldrich); was born at Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 7, 1892. He was educated at St. Mark's School, Southboro, Mass., graduating in 1911, and at Harvard College, graduating in 1915. At St. Mark's he played on the football team. At Harvard he was one of the authors of the 1915 Hasty Pudding play. He was a member of the 1st Corps of Cadets, M.V.M., 1911-1914; served with them on strike duty in Lawrence, Mass., in 1911. He enlisted in the Aviation Service, on April 16, 1917, and trained in the first Government Aviation class at Mineola, N.Y. On July 16, 1917, he was commissioned 1st Lieut. (R.M.A.), S.S.R.C, and stationed as Instructor and Supply Officer, 9th Aero Squadron, at Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens, Mich. On Nov. 20, 1917, he sailed for England, where he organized and commanded two American Aviation sections of several squadrons each, serving in conjunction with the Royal Air Force; at Grantham and Spittlegate. After five months of service at these fields, he was transferred to the American Air Service Headquarters, at London, in charge of the technical training of all enlisted men in the American Army Air Service in Great Britain. In July, 1918, Lieut. Richards was ordered to Scotland to command all American Army Aviation units there; squadrons being trained under his direction for service at the front. He was three times recommended for promotion to a Captaincy, but the promotion did not go through. He was honorably discharged at Garden City, N.Y., Dec. 23, 1918. Recommendation for Promotion, by Major Fitzgerald, Headquarters Base Section 3, Service of Supply, A.E.F. London, March 27, 1918: "This is to certify that 1st Lieut. J. A. Richards, Sig. R.C., A.S., is now on duty in charge of several squadrons of the U.S. Aviation Section, Signal Corps, at Spittlegate, Grantham, Eng. This officer has been under my personal observation since September, 1917. He has given every satisfaction, is a fine disciplinarian, and has his command under excellent control. He gets along exceptionally well with the British authorities, and it is my belief that he should be promoted. I, therefore, take great pleasure in recommending that 1st Lieut. J. A. Richards, Sig. R.C., A.S., be promoted to Captain, Sig. R.C., A.S., believing that such promotion will be for the best interests of the Service." Commendations: To Officer Commanding Mth Wing, R.A.F. Spittlegate, May 11, 1918, "I have the honour to bring to your notice the assistance I have had from Lieut. J. A. Richards, U.S.A., Aviation Section, from the date I took over this Squadron. Owing to his ready cooperation and tact, difficulties incident to the amalgamation of British and American Sections have been successfully overcome. I have never had occasion to take disciplinary action against any of the N.C.O.'s or men under his administration." (Signed) H. S. Lees-Smith, Captain, Commanding No. 37 T.S., Royal Flying Corps, Headquarters, 24th Wing, R.A.F., Grantham, May 14, 1918:"Dear Colonel Morrow: Lieut. Richards has left my Wing to report at your Headquarters, and I wish to express to you how much I and everybody have appreciated his services. As you know four Squadrons and a Flight of Americans are in my Wing, and to get this party settled in, presented no small task, yet it was attained, and my thanks are in a great part due to the extraordinary ability and powers of cooperation of Lieut. Richards. I am Yours sincerely, A. B. BURDETT." From Officers' Record, December 4, 1918: "Lieut. Richards has shown marked ability in the execution of various duties requiring executive ability and tact in connection with the U.S. Air Service Units stationed in England." December 5, 1918: "Lieut. J. A. Richards has been on duty under my supervision for almost a year. He has initiative, energy, ability, and is an excellent leader of men. As CO. of a large post, he discharges his duties most efficiently."

Identifier: NewEnglandaviatVol2Tick (find matches)
Title: New England aviators 1914-1918; their portraits and their records
Year: 1919 (1910s)
Authors: Ticknor, Caroline, 1866-1937, ed
Subjects: Biography Aeronautics World War, 1914-1918
Publisher: Boston, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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he front. He was three times recommended for pro-motion to a Captaincy, but the promotion did not go through. Hewas honorably discharged at Garden City, N.Y., Dec. 23, 1918. Recommendation for Promotion, by Major Fitzgerald Headquarters Base Section 3, Service of Supply, A.E.F. London, March 27, 1918 This is to certify that 1st Lieut. J. A. Richards, Sig. R.C., A.S., is nowon duty in charge of several squadrons of the U.S. Aviation Section,Signal Corps, at Spittlegate, Grantham, Eng. This officer has been undermy personal observation since September, 1917. He has given every satis-faction, is a fine disciplinarian, and has his command under excellentcontrol. He gets along exceptionally well with the British authorities, andit is my belief that he should be promoted. I, therefore, take great pleasure in recommending that 1st Lieut.J. A. Richards, Sig. R.C., A.S., be promoted to Captain, Sig. R.C., A.S.,believing that such promotion will be for the best interests of the Service. ( 250 )
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JUNIUS ALEXANDER RICHARDS CommendationsTo Officer Commanding Mth Wing, R.A.F. Spittlegate, May 11, 1918I have the honour to bring to your notice the assistance I have had from Lieut. J. A. Richards, U.S.A., Aviation Section, from the date I took over this Squadron. Owing to his ready cooperation and tact, difficulties incident to the amalgamation of British and American Sections have been successfully overcome. I have never had occasion to take disciplinary action against any of theN.C.O.s or men under his administration. (Signed) H. S. Lees-Smith, Captain Commanding No. 37 T.S. Royal Flying Corps Headquarters, 24th Wing, R.A.F.Grantham, May 14, 1918 Dear Colonel Morrow : Lieut. Richards has left my Wing to report at your Headquarters,and I wish to express to you how much I and everybody have appreciatedhis services. As you know four Squadrons and a Flight of Americans are in my Wing,and to get this party settled in, presented no small task, yet it was at-tained, and my thanks are in

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