John Cassell Henderson, 2nd Lt USAS. Enlisted 23 July 1917 at Chicago and graduated from Univ of Illinois SMA, 20 Oct 1917. Received preliminary flying training in the Canuck in Canada, 24 Oct - 7 Nov 1917; and in the JN-4D at Taliaferro Fields, Ft Worth, Texas, 18 Nov 1917 - 9 Jan 1918. Received RMA rating and commissioned a 2nd Lt, 31 Dec 1917. Assigned to 28th A.S. and sent to England for advanced combat flying training in the A.W. and RE-8 at Sedgeford, 4 March - 15 July 1918. Assigned as aerial gunnery school at Marske, 16-17 July 1918. Assigned as instructor pilot in the DH-4 and 2nd AIC, Tours, France, 31 July - 7 Oct 1918. Assigned to 163rd A.S. (Bombardment) until 1 March 1919. Discharged at Camp Grant, IL, 2 Sept 1919. WWI Decorations: WWI Victory Medal, 2 gold overseas chevrons. Owned and operated small airport in Illinois (Yan-Yar), 1937-1942; served in WWII in grade of Captain. Promoted to Major later.
Graduated from Chicago Univerity
Graduated from Staunton Military School through the good fortune of his older brother Edwin Henderson who was able to finance him through.
During WWI he witnessed the death of Lt Charles Swan per Swan's obit. Served with other heros Lt Harold Goettler, Erwin Bleckley , Lt Hugh Sherman and other names we are still searching for. (See photos from WWI Album) His favorite nephew Edwin Henderson Voorhees, a Navy Pilot during WWII.
Retired Sinclair Refining Co, a career that began in Chicago Ill and took him to to Toledo Ohio and eventually Youngstown, Ohio. He remained in reserves and was drafted in WWII at an age over 50.
July 2004 - All military items from WWI & II belonging to JCH e.g. donated to Air Force Museum at WPAFB - Dayton Ohio.
October 2005 - Date of birth changed/confirmed to be Dec 6, 1893 per WWI draft registration found. States birth 1893 being age 24 in 1917. Inscription on stone now incorrect.
He left a wife, Mary Beaton Jenkins Henderson, two daughters and a grandaughter. His middle name "Cassell" named after John Cassell.
He married a first wife Julia Griffith in Toledo Ohio about 1929 and adopted a child born July 28, 1935 in Toledo Ohio. They divorced in Youngstown Ohio Oct 17, 1945. Julia returned to Toledo Ohio and remarried.
He was an honest man - proud of his military life and true to Sinclair Refining Company. He loved his dog "Lad" (1972-1983) a collie. Active until the end - golfing in a.m. - bowling in p.m. Died in Butler Co Pa VA hospital after a brief illness.
In reading his early flight log book it is with interest some of his old recordings during 1920's... "forced landing - location: cornfield - reason: engine out".
During WWII while stationed in England, he, as a rank of Captain, was saluted by a group of 5 star Generals as he exited a restaurant. Astounded to say the least, he respectfully saluted back and could only surmize later they thought he was Gen Dwight D Eisenhower! My mother was with him and witness to event. It always made for a great story.
He had a vivid memory of events right to the end of his life. He was visited by several historians compiling notes on WWI and flying during 1982-1984 as few were left to tell the story and it was apparent that the airplane played an important role in WWI.
On July 11, 2008 a great grandaughter born and great grandson born July 11, 2011.
Trivia notes on his habits:
Loved sleeping in a "sleeping bag" even when married! (goes back to WWI)
Followed the philosophy - "Always keep your money in stocks, you'll never get rich putting it in the bank". Was an advocate for higher education for all people, regardless of race, creed or color.
Did not like to eat finger foods - sandwiches, etc - liked it on a plate and cut it up always cut it up, if on rare ocassion a sandwich or pizza. (this was always funny"
Kirk Voorhees (great nephew) 2015 participated in ceremony of laying of wreaths on graves. He personally put the wreath on JCH's grave. See video of this touching cemeremony.
Kirk Voorhees, a great nephew by places a wreath on your grave every year. He is your favorite nephew Edwin's son. I'm so greatful for this and know you are too.
Graduated from Chicago Univerity
Graduated from Staunton Military School through the good fortune of his older brother Edwin Henderson who was able to finance him through.
During WWI he witnessed the death of Lt Charles Swan per Swan's obit. Served with other heros Lt Harold Goettler, Erwin Bleckley , Lt Hugh Sherman and other names we are still searching for. (See photos from WWI Album) His favorite nephew Edwin Henderson Voorhees, a Navy Pilot during WWII.
Retired Sinclair Refining Co, a career that began in Chicago Ill and took him to to Toledo Ohio and eventually Youngstown, Ohio. He remained in reserves and was drafted in WWII at an age over 50.
July 2004 - All military items from WWI & II belonging to JCH e.g. donated to Air Force Museum at WPAFB - Dayton Ohio.
October 2005 - Date of birth changed/confirmed to be Dec 6, 1893 per WWI draft registration found. States birth 1893 being age 24 in 1917. Inscription on stone now incorrect.
He left a wife, Mary Beaton Jenkins Henderson, two daughters and a grandaughter. His middle name "Cassell" named after John Cassell.
He married a first wife Julia Griffith in Toledo Ohio about 1929 and adopted a child born July 28, 1935 in Toledo Ohio. They divorced in Youngstown Ohio Oct 17, 1945. Julia returned to Toledo Ohio and remarried.
He was an honest man - proud of his military life and true to Sinclair Refining Company. He loved his dog "Lad" (1972-1983) a collie. Active until the end - golfing in a.m. - bowling in p.m. Died in Butler Co Pa VA hospital after a brief illness.
In reading his early flight log book it is with interest some of his old recordings during 1920's... "forced landing - location: cornfield - reason: engine out".
During WWII while stationed in England, he, as a rank of Captain, was saluted by a group of 5 star Generals as he exited a restaurant. Astounded to say the least, he respectfully saluted back and could only surmize later they thought he was Gen Dwight D Eisenhower! My mother was with him and witness to event. It always made for a great story.
He had a vivid memory of events right to the end of his life. He was visited by several historians compiling notes on WWI and flying during 1982-1984 as few were left to tell the story and it was apparent that the airplane played an important role in WWI.
On July 11, 2008 a great grandaughter born and great grandson born July 11, 2011.
Trivia notes on his habits:
Loved sleeping in a "sleeping bag" even when married! (goes back to WWI)
Followed the philosophy - "Always keep your money in stocks, you'll never get rich putting it in the bank". Was an advocate for higher education for all people, regardless of race, creed or color.
Did not like to eat finger foods - sandwiches, etc - liked it on a plate and cut it up always cut it up, if on rare ocassion a sandwich or pizza. (this was always funny"
Kirk Voorhees (great nephew) 2015 participated in ceremony of laying of wreaths on graves. He personally put the wreath on JCH's grave. See video of this touching cemeremony.
Kirk Voorhees, a great nephew by places a wreath on your grave every year. He is your favorite nephew Edwin's son. I'm so greatful for this and know you are too.
John Cassell Henderson, 2nd Lt USAS. Enlisted 23 July 1917 at Chicago and graduated from Univ of Illinois SMA, 20 Oct 1917. Received preliminary flying training in the Canuck in Canada, 24 Oct - 7 Nov 1917; and in the JN-4D at Taliaferro Fields, Ft Worth, Texas, 18 Nov 1917 - 9 Jan 1918. Received RMA rating and commissioned a 2nd Lt, 31 Dec 1917. Assigned to 28th A.S. and sent to England for advanced combat flying training in the A.W. and RE-8 at Sedgeford, 4 March - 15 July 1918. Assigned as aerial gunnery school at Marske, 16-17 July 1918. Assigned as instructor pilot in the DH-4 and 2nd AIC, Tours, France, 31 July - 7 Oct 1918. Assigned to 163rd A.S. (Bombardment) until 1 March 1919. Discharged at Camp Grant, IL, 2 Sept 1919. WWI Decorations: WWI Victory Medal, 2 gold overseas chevrons. Owned and operated small airport in Illinois (Yan-Yar), 1937-1942; served in WWII in grade of Captain. Promoted to Major later.
Graduated from Chicago Univerity
Graduated from Staunton Military School through the good fortune of his older brother Edwin Henderson who was able to finance him through.
During WWI he witnessed the death of Lt Charles Swan per Swan's obit. Served with other heros Lt Harold Goettler, Erwin Bleckley , Lt Hugh Sherman and other names we are still searching for. (See photos from WWI Album) His favorite nephew Edwin Henderson Voorhees, a Navy Pilot during WWII.
Retired Sinclair Refining Co, a career that began in Chicago Ill and took him to to Toledo Ohio and eventually Youngstown, Ohio. He remained in reserves and was drafted in WWII at an age over 50.
July 2004 - All military items from WWI & II belonging to JCH e.g. donated to Air Force Museum at WPAFB - Dayton Ohio.
October 2005 - Date of birth changed/confirmed to be Dec 6, 1893 per WWI draft registration found. States birth 1893 being age 24 in 1917. Inscription on stone now incorrect.
He left a wife, Mary Beaton Jenkins Henderson, two daughters and a grandaughter. His middle name "Cassell" named after John Cassell.
He married a first wife Julia Griffith in Toledo Ohio about 1929 and adopted a child born July 28, 1935 in Toledo Ohio. They divorced in Youngstown Ohio Oct 17, 1945. Julia returned to Toledo Ohio and remarried.
He was an honest man - proud of his military life and true to Sinclair Refining Company. He loved his dog "Lad" (1972-1983) a collie. Active until the end - golfing in a.m. - bowling in p.m. Died in Butler Co Pa VA hospital after a brief illness.
In reading his early flight log book it is with interest some of his old recordings during 1920's... "forced landing - location: cornfield - reason: engine out".
During WWII while stationed in England, he, as a rank of Captain, was saluted by a group of 5 star Generals as he exited a restaurant. Astounded to say the least, he respectfully saluted back and could only surmize later they thought he was Gen Dwight D Eisenhower! My mother was with him and witness to event. It always made for a great story.
He had a vivid memory of events right to the end of his life. He was visited by several historians compiling notes on WWI and flying during 1982-1984 as few were left to tell the story and it was apparent that the airplane played an important role in WWI.
On July 11, 2008 a great grandaughter born and great grandson born July 11, 2011.
Trivia notes on his habits:
Loved sleeping in a "sleeping bag" even when married! (goes back to WWI)
Followed the philosophy - "Always keep your money in stocks, you'll never get rich putting it in the bank". Was an advocate for higher education for all people, regardless of race, creed or color.
Did not like to eat finger foods - sandwiches, etc - liked it on a plate and cut it up always cut it up, if on rare ocassion a sandwich or pizza. (this was always funny"
Kirk Voorhees (great nephew) 2015 participated in ceremony of laying of wreaths on graves. He personally put the wreath on JCH's grave. See video of this touching cemeremony.
Kirk Voorhees, a great nephew by places a wreath on your grave every year. He is your favorite nephew Edwin's son. I'm so greatful for this and know you are too.
Graduated from Chicago Univerity
Graduated from Staunton Military School through the good fortune of his older brother Edwin Henderson who was able to finance him through.
During WWI he witnessed the death of Lt Charles Swan per Swan's obit. Served with other heros Lt Harold Goettler, Erwin Bleckley , Lt Hugh Sherman and other names we are still searching for. (See photos from WWI Album) His favorite nephew Edwin Henderson Voorhees, a Navy Pilot during WWII.
Retired Sinclair Refining Co, a career that began in Chicago Ill and took him to to Toledo Ohio and eventually Youngstown, Ohio. He remained in reserves and was drafted in WWII at an age over 50.
July 2004 - All military items from WWI & II belonging to JCH e.g. donated to Air Force Museum at WPAFB - Dayton Ohio.
October 2005 - Date of birth changed/confirmed to be Dec 6, 1893 per WWI draft registration found. States birth 1893 being age 24 in 1917. Inscription on stone now incorrect.
He left a wife, Mary Beaton Jenkins Henderson, two daughters and a grandaughter. His middle name "Cassell" named after John Cassell.
He married a first wife Julia Griffith in Toledo Ohio about 1929 and adopted a child born July 28, 1935 in Toledo Ohio. They divorced in Youngstown Ohio Oct 17, 1945. Julia returned to Toledo Ohio and remarried.
He was an honest man - proud of his military life and true to Sinclair Refining Company. He loved his dog "Lad" (1972-1983) a collie. Active until the end - golfing in a.m. - bowling in p.m. Died in Butler Co Pa VA hospital after a brief illness.
In reading his early flight log book it is with interest some of his old recordings during 1920's... "forced landing - location: cornfield - reason: engine out".
During WWII while stationed in England, he, as a rank of Captain, was saluted by a group of 5 star Generals as he exited a restaurant. Astounded to say the least, he respectfully saluted back and could only surmize later they thought he was Gen Dwight D Eisenhower! My mother was with him and witness to event. It always made for a great story.
He had a vivid memory of events right to the end of his life. He was visited by several historians compiling notes on WWI and flying during 1982-1984 as few were left to tell the story and it was apparent that the airplane played an important role in WWI.
On July 11, 2008 a great grandaughter born and great grandson born July 11, 2011.
Trivia notes on his habits:
Loved sleeping in a "sleeping bag" even when married! (goes back to WWI)
Followed the philosophy - "Always keep your money in stocks, you'll never get rich putting it in the bank". Was an advocate for higher education for all people, regardless of race, creed or color.
Did not like to eat finger foods - sandwiches, etc - liked it on a plate and cut it up always cut it up, if on rare ocassion a sandwich or pizza. (this was always funny"
Kirk Voorhees (great nephew) 2015 participated in ceremony of laying of wreaths on graves. He personally put the wreath on JCH's grave. See video of this touching cemeremony.
Kirk Voorhees, a great nephew by places a wreath on your grave every year. He is your favorite nephew Edwin's son. I'm so greatful for this and know you are too.
