William Thomas Ponder grew up in Mangum, Oklahoma. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1917 and then joined the American Field Service in France.
After arriving in France, Ponder enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique to fly in the Lafayette Flying Corps. Following his initial flight and gunnery training conducted in phases at Avord, Pau, Cazeaux, and the G.D.E., Ponder flew as a ferry pilot delivering aircraft from the American Acceptance Park in Orly. He was then assigned to Escadrille SPA 163 where he shot down three enemy aircraft. His flying in the service of France with the Lafayette Flying Corps came to an end after the United States entered the war and he was reassigned to the 103rd Aero Squadron of the United States Air Service (USAS). Ponder was credited with three more kills with the 103rd with victory number five making him an ace.
For his service for France, Ponder was awarded France's Croix de Guerre with four Palms. For his service in the USAS, Ponder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with a citation that read:
"Having been separated from his patrol, Lt Ponder observed and went to the assistance of an Allied plane which was being attacked by thirteen of the enemy. Against great odds, Lt Ponder destroyed one enemy plane and so demoralized the rest that both he and his comrade were able to return to their lines."
In May of 1918, Ponder married Mille Jeanne Marie Dezerville while in Paris. In May of 1919, Ponder was promoted to Captain.
After World War One, Ponder returned to Mangum, Oklahoma and worked as the City Manager. The Mangum municipal airport was named Ponder Field in his honor.
[Ponder Field has since been replaced by a newer airport (Scott Field) located a few miles Southwest. The Mangum Golf Course is on the Ponder Field site.]
Ponder departed Mangum and held a variety of jobs over the next three decades. He worked in a newspaper and magazine agency in Fort Worth, he delivered aircraft for Lockheed, and he worked in an oil contracting business.
Ponder made national news in 1932 at the end of the era of Prohibition (1920-1933) when he was twice arrested for smuggling alcohol from Mexico into the United States by airplane. The articles sensationally and inaccurately described him as America's second highest scoring ace.
During World War Two, Ponder worked for the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation (Convair). After the war, he delivered Globe Swift aircraft out of San Angelo, Texas with his brother Revis.
William Thomas Ponder died of a heart attack in his hotel room in Amarillo, Texas, while on a business trip.
[Reference: "The Lafayette Flying Corps: The American Volunteers in the French Air Service in World War One," by Dennis Gordon. Schiffer Military History, Atglen, PA: 2000. Page 360.]
William Thomas Ponder grew up in Mangum, Oklahoma. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1917 and then joined the American Field Service in France.
After arriving in France, Ponder enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique to fly in the Lafayette Flying Corps. Following his initial flight and gunnery training conducted in phases at Avord, Pau, Cazeaux, and the G.D.E., Ponder flew as a ferry pilot delivering aircraft from the American Acceptance Park in Orly. He was then assigned to Escadrille SPA 163 where he shot down three enemy aircraft. His flying in the service of France with the Lafayette Flying Corps came to an end after the United States entered the war and he was reassigned to the 103rd Aero Squadron of the United States Air Service (USAS). Ponder was credited with three more kills with the 103rd with victory number five making him an ace.
For his service for France, Ponder was awarded France's Croix de Guerre with four Palms. For his service in the USAS, Ponder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with a citation that read:
"Having been separated from his patrol, Lt Ponder observed and went to the assistance of an Allied plane which was being attacked by thirteen of the enemy. Against great odds, Lt Ponder destroyed one enemy plane and so demoralized the rest that both he and his comrade were able to return to their lines."
In May of 1918, Ponder married Mille Jeanne Marie Dezerville while in Paris. In May of 1919, Ponder was promoted to Captain.
After World War One, Ponder returned to Mangum, Oklahoma and worked as the City Manager. The Mangum municipal airport was named Ponder Field in his honor.
[Ponder Field has since been replaced by a newer airport (Scott Field) located a few miles Southwest. The Mangum Golf Course is on the Ponder Field site.]
Ponder departed Mangum and held a variety of jobs over the next three decades. He worked in a newspaper and magazine agency in Fort Worth, he delivered aircraft for Lockheed, and he worked in an oil contracting business.
Ponder made national news in 1932 at the end of the era of Prohibition (1920-1933) when he was twice arrested for smuggling alcohol from Mexico into the United States by airplane. The articles sensationally and inaccurately described him as America's second highest scoring ace.
During World War Two, Ponder worked for the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation (Convair). After the war, he delivered Globe Swift aircraft out of San Angelo, Texas with his brother Revis.
William Thomas Ponder died of a heart attack in his hotel room in Amarillo, Texas, while on a business trip.
[Reference: "The Lafayette Flying Corps: The American Volunteers in the French Air Service in World War One," by Dennis Gordon. Schiffer Military History, Atglen, PA: 2000. Page 360.]
