Stephen Potter (American)

Infobox Military Person
name = Stephen Potter
lived = birth date|1896|12|26 – Death date and age|1918|4|25|1896|12|26|df=yes
placeofbirth = Saginaw, Michigan
placeofdeath = North Sea


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1917–8
rank = Ensign
branch = United States Navy
commands =
unit =
battles = World War I
awards =
laterwork =

Ensign Stephen Potter, USN (26 December 1896 – 25 April 1918) was a U.S. Navy officer and early Naval Aviator, who was killed in action during World War I. He was a member of the second Yale University unit which left college in April 1917 to enter naval aviation. He was a native of Saginaw, Michigan.

Training

Potter trained with Volunteer Aerial Coast Patrol Unit No. 2 at Buffalo, N.Y., and was commissioned ensign on 2 November 1917. Ensign Potter volunteered to go overseas immediately and was assigned to the Advanced School at Montchic, Gironde, France. He was later assigned to the British Royal Naval Air Station at Felixstowe, England.

Action and Distinctions

As second pilot to a British captain on North Sea service, Ensign Potter won the distinction of being the first American naval aviator to shoot down a German seaplane. He flew from the North Sea Station on 25 April 1918 in company with another plane. The pair spotted two German planes heading toward them approximately six miles from North Hinder Light. Five additional enemy planes joined them, and together the seven German combatants attacked the two British aircraft. Ensign Potter perished after his plane was shot down in the ensuing action.

Namesake

The World War II destroyer USS "Stephen Potter" (DD-538), (1943–1972), was named in his honor.

References

External links

* [http://history.navy.mil/danfs/s18/stephen_potter.htm "USS Stephen Potter" (history.navy.mil)]