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27th Construction Company (U.S. Army Air Service)

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27th Construction Company
Map of Hazelfurst Field in 1918. The eastern portion of Field no. 1 would later become Roosevelt Field.
ActiveJune 30, 1918 - December 30, 1918
DisbandedDecember 30, 1918
Country United States
Branch  United States Army
TypeLaborers
RoleConstruction
Part of United States Army Air Service
Commanders
1st. LieutenantWilliam J. Lang
2nd. LieutenantHoward F. Meixner

The 27th Construction Company was a United States Army unit that served during World War l. Construction companies were created following the Rothermere-Foulois agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom signed on January 26, 1918. The agreement specified that the U.S. would send 3,000 army construction workers to England by June of 1918.[1] Each company was organized into one of three roles, bricklaying, carpeting, and general laborers. By the end of the war, over 6,000 men had enlisted into 39 construction companies.

Organization

The 27th construction company was organized as part of the second wave of companies that had been authorized in spring.[2] The unit was likely created as a general labor company, as the bricklaying and carpenter companies had already reached the amount required by the Rothermere-Foulois agreement. The company was formed at an Aviation field in Waco, Texas, where men, upon being assigned to the unit, would have their experience in the field of construction tested and then later if they passed, would become qualified to serve. The 27th was officially mustered into the Army Air Service on June 30, 1918, numbering 136 men in total. Judging from the men's emergency contacts, it would seem the most came from the south, with Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas making up the majority.[3]

Since the 26th of June, the company had been commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Howard F. Meixner. In July, Meixner was later replaced by a 28-year-old 1st Lieutenant named William J. Lang. Prior to his enlistment Lang worked as an architectural and structural engineer. Following the U.S. entry into the war Lang attended an officer training camp where, upon completion, he received his commission as a 1st Lieutenant. Lang later served at Kelly Field before, on account of his experience as an officer and engineer, he was transferred to the 27th.[4]

Service History

Photograph of Bruce E. Gray, a Sergeant in the 27th.

The company would remain in Waco for the month of July, where they likely underwent further military training. On July 31st the company numbered 152 enlisted and 4 officers. In early August the Company would depart for a supply center in Morrison, Virginia. The company left Morrison on August 15th and headed north to Hazlehurst Aviation Field in New York, arriving the same month.[3] The 27th was one of many construction units stationed at Hazlehurst during the war. Hazelhurst, located near Mineola, was quickly becoming one of the most popular and expansive aviation training fields in the country, and construction companies like the 27th were needed to fuel that expansion.[5] One such example was the creation of Roosevelt Field, an area of about 300 acres on the Hempstead Plains, which was established on the eastern half of Hazelhurst Field No. 1. Roosevelt Field was used for advanced flight training by various Aero Squadrons stationed in the vicinity and was under the command of the 1st Provisional Wing. The company would be assigned to Roosevelt in September and would remain there for the remainder of the war.[6][7]

The 27th was the only construction unit stationed at Roosevelt field and as such it is likely they provided for most of the maintenance of the field.[6] While in servicemen from the company would participate in various athletic competitions, including running, pool, and bowling, many of which they would win. Aside from sports, they would also take part in the occasional social functions in and around Mineola, such as when the company band provided the music during a dance hosted by the 74th Aero Squadron in December.[8] In October the company would experience the deaths of two of its soldiers, with the loss of Corporal Brady on the 9th and Private Clark on the 13th, likely from sickness. The two would be the only casualties the company would have during their service.[3]

In the fall of 1918 the company received orders that they would soon be departing for Europe, however, the armistice with Germany was later signed on November 11 and the company remained in the U.S. as a result.[4] Following the ending of hostilities in Europe the 27th continued to operate throughout the remainder of the year. On December 17th Lieutenant Lang was discharged and 38-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Ashton Parker became commander. The 27th was demobilized at Garden City, New York on December 30, 1918, serving a total of 7 months.[3]

Legacy

Roosevelt Field would later be the airfield used by Charles Lindbergh during his flight across the Atlantic ocean in 1927.[9]

References

  1. ^ Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service 1917-1919. Series B: Air Service Activities With the French, British, and Italians. Vol. 6. National Archives. 1975. p. 28.
  2. ^ Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917-1919. Series A: Early History and General Organization of the AEF Air Service. Vol. 19. National Archives. 1975. p. 112.
  3. ^ a b c d "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939". Family Search. Archived from the original on 2021-05-11.
  4. ^ a b History of Texas World War Heroes. Army & Navy History Company. 1919. p. 337.
  5. ^ "Roosevelt Field". Mitchel Field. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  6. ^ a b ORDER OF BATTLE OF THE UNITED STATES LAND FORCES IN THE WORLD WAR. Vol. 2. United States Army Center of Military History. 1988. p. 786.
  7. ^ Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War. Center of Military History, United States Army. 1988.
  8. ^ "L. I. Aviation". The Brooklyn’s Daily Eagle. December 12, 1918.
  9. ^ Alba, Joseph (2020-01-10). "Long Island's Roosevelt Field". Metropolitan Airport News. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
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