36 Facts About Frank Wead

Frank Wilbur "Spig" Wead was a US Navy aviator who helped promote United States Naval aviation from its inception through World War II.

Frank Wead published several books, short stories and magazine articles.

Frank Wilbur Wead was born to Samuel De Forest Wead and Grace Wead on 24 October 1895, in Ward No 5 of Peoria Township, Peoria, Illinois.

The Frank Wead family had a strong background of service to the American nation.

The Frank Wead families were prominent in Illinois and Vermont in several fields during the 19th and 20th centuries: politics, law, education and as supporters of the Union during the American Civil War, during which one branch of the Frank Wead lineage became actively involved with the United States Sanitary Commission.

Frank Wead's classmates included John D Price, Ralph Davison and Calvin T Durgin.

Frank Wead was granted a temporary promotion to Lieutenant on 15 October 1917.

Frank Wead reported to the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, for sea duty orders.

Frank Wead received a permanent promotion to Lieutenant on 3 June 1919.

Frank Wead's request was approved and he was assigned to Class 1, on 15 September 1919.

Frank Wead was designated a United States Naval Aviator on 17 April 1920; his wife, Minnie "Min" Frank Wead, pinned his golden wings to his uniform.

On Saturday, 5 June 1920, Lieutenant Wead was appointed a naval aviator, along with Lieutenants Felix Stump, Robert Morse Farrar[1], Homer Webb Clark, Robert Walton Fleming[2], Stanton Hall Wooster[3], Ralph E Davison, John Dale Price, Calin Thornton Durgin, and Henry James White[4].

Frank Wead began to promote Naval Aviation after World War I through air racing, speed competitions and several naval aviation articles he submitted for publishing in the United States Naval Institute Proceedings magazine.

Aboard Aroostook, Wead was assigned aviation duties involving flying: Aeromarine 39-B and Felixstowe F5L ; reporting to Commander, US Pacific Fleet Air Squadrons Captain Henry Varnum Butler, USN, and Executive Aide Lieutenant Commander Patrick N L Bellinger, USN.

Additionally, Frank Wead took part in tests involving dummy torpedoes dropped from F-5-L aircraft.

The experience gained aboard USS Aroostook involving F-5-L flying boats was instrumental in Frank Wead being selected as commanding officer of Combat Squadron No 3, US Pacific Fleet; he served in this capacity for over a year until the spring of 1923.

Lieutenant Wead worked closely with the Philadelphia Naval Aircraft Factory and three contractors in the development of seaplane airframes and new engines, and testing the seaplanes in duration flights above the Potomac River.

Lieutenant Frank Wead traveled to East Cowes, Isle of Wight, Great Britain, as the American team captain of a small group of US naval aviators.

Unfortunately, on the day of the navigability tests, Frank Wead had to withdraw because of an engine problem with his TR-3A aircraft- the American reserve seaplane.

On 28 October 1924, Frank Wead was assigned to command VT Squadron 2.

In early April 1926, Frank Wead received a naval message at his headquarters, NAS North Island, that he was selected for promotion to lieutenant commander; promoted ahead of his fellow naval aviators Class of 1916; and, one of the Navy's youngest squadron commanders.

On 14 April 1926, Frank Wead heard his daughter Marjorie crying.

Frank Wead was immediately taken to the US Naval Hospital, Balboa Park where the Commandant of the US Naval Hospital, Captain Raymond Spear, Medical Corps, was briefed on Frank Wead's condition and ordered him to be operated on.

Frank Wead sustained the injury which came near costing his life when he slipped and fell from the top of the stairway of his home in Coronado late Wednesday night.

Physicians, following the operation yesterday, said that Frank Wead will recover but it is doubtful if he will be able to fly again.

Frank Wead's outstanding exploit since entering the naval flying corps was his flight against British pilots in the international seaplane races off the Isle of Wight in 1923, when American naval fliers took all the honors.

On 16 July 1926, while convalescing in the hospital, Frank Wead was promoted to lieutenant commander.

However, Frank Wead was placed on the retired list, 28 May 1928, with a residence in the City of Los Angeles, California.

Frank Wead began his second career, screenplay writing, which subsequently occupied him throughout the 1930s and early 1940s.

From his library, Frank Wead made a long-distance phone call to the Bureau of Aeronautics to speak with Rear Admiral John Henry Towers, requesting a recall to active duty.

Frank Wead flew from California and arrived at Naval Air Station Quonset Point where he worked as special aide to Captain Ralph Davison.

Frank Wead took part in the attack on Kwajalein Atoll during Operation Flintlock, an operation that involved four carrier groups.

Frank Wead was placed on the retired list on 11 May 1945 with the rank of commander.

On 1 November 1947, Frank Wead was taken for surgery at the Santa Monica Hospital, which was located at 1250 16th Street in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California.

Frank Wead was buried in the family plot at Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.

Frank Wead sent his daughter Dorothea to attend the prestigious Smith College; she graduated with the Class of 1939.