Bolling AFB, DC, is named in his honor.
Colonel Raynal Cawthorne Bolling was the first high-ranking U.S. officer to be killed in combat in World War I. He laid the foundation for the U. S. Military Aviation Service. He was Assistant Chief of the Air Service and on an inspection tour of the front when he was ambushed by German troops in Picardy, France during the second Somme offensive. He was also a well-known lawyer. He was the namesake of Bolling Field, later AFB, now Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC.
The location of his remains is unknown but he is memorialized in France.
His Army DSM citation:
Awarded posthumously for actions during World War I
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Colonel (Air Service) Raynal Cawthorne Bolling, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Bolling's service to the United States Aviation was distinguished for an accurate and comprehensive grasp of aviation matters; for a sound and far-sighted conception of the measures needed to establish an efficient American Air Service in Europe; for initiative and resourcefulness in attacking the problems of a young Air Service; for brilliant capacity in arranging affairs with foreign governments, for boldness and vigor in executing determined policies. In all these, Colonel Bolling has rendered service of great value to the Government.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Action Date: World War I
Service: Army Air Service
Rank: Colonel
Colonel Raynal Cawthorne Bolling was the first high-ranking U.S. officer to be killed in combat in World War I. He laid the foundation for the U. S. Military Aviation Service. He was Assistant Chief of the Air Service and on an inspection tour of the front when he was ambushed by German troops in Picardy, France during the second Somme offensive. He was also a well-known lawyer. He was the namesake of Bolling Field, later AFB, now Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC.
The location of his remains is unknown but he is memorialized in France.
His Army DSM citation:
Awarded posthumously for actions during World War I
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Colonel (Air Service) Raynal Cawthorne Bolling, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Bolling's service to the United States Aviation was distinguished for an accurate and comprehensive grasp of aviation matters; for a sound and far-sighted conception of the measures needed to establish an efficient American Air Service in Europe; for initiative and resourcefulness in attacking the problems of a young Air Service; for brilliant capacity in arranging affairs with foreign governments, for boldness and vigor in executing determined policies. In all these, Colonel Bolling has rendered service of great value to the Government.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Action Date: World War I
Service: Army Air Service
Rank: Colonel
Bolling AFB, DC, is named in his honor.
Colonel Raynal Cawthorne Bolling was the first high-ranking U.S. officer to be killed in combat in World War I. He laid the foundation for the U. S. Military Aviation Service. He was Assistant Chief of the Air Service and on an inspection tour of the front when he was ambushed by German troops in Picardy, France during the second Somme offensive. He was also a well-known lawyer. He was the namesake of Bolling Field, later AFB, now Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC.
The location of his remains is unknown but he is memorialized in France.
His Army DSM citation:
Awarded posthumously for actions during World War I
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Colonel (Air Service) Raynal Cawthorne Bolling, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Bolling's service to the United States Aviation was distinguished for an accurate and comprehensive grasp of aviation matters; for a sound and far-sighted conception of the measures needed to establish an efficient American Air Service in Europe; for initiative and resourcefulness in attacking the problems of a young Air Service; for brilliant capacity in arranging affairs with foreign governments, for boldness and vigor in executing determined policies. In all these, Colonel Bolling has rendered service of great value to the Government.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Action Date: World War I
Service: Army Air Service
Rank: Colonel
Colonel Raynal Cawthorne Bolling was the first high-ranking U.S. officer to be killed in combat in World War I. He laid the foundation for the U. S. Military Aviation Service. He was Assistant Chief of the Air Service and on an inspection tour of the front when he was ambushed by German troops in Picardy, France during the second Somme offensive. He was also a well-known lawyer. He was the namesake of Bolling Field, later AFB, now Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC.
The location of his remains is unknown but he is memorialized in France.
His Army DSM citation:
Awarded posthumously for actions during World War I
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Colonel (Air Service) Raynal Cawthorne Bolling, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Bolling's service to the United States Aviation was distinguished for an accurate and comprehensive grasp of aviation matters; for a sound and far-sighted conception of the measures needed to establish an efficient American Air Service in Europe; for initiative and resourcefulness in attacking the problems of a young Air Service; for brilliant capacity in arranging affairs with foreign governments, for boldness and vigor in executing determined policies. In all these, Colonel Bolling has rendered service of great value to the Government.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (1919)
Action Date: World War I
Service: Army Air Service
Rank: Colonel
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