Chain of Command
Prospective Commanding Officer ZR-2.
Other Memories
24 August 1921--During its fourth trial flight, the R-38 (ZR-2) rigid airship built for the Navy by the Royal Air Force, broke into two parts and fell into the Humber River at Hull, England. It carried to their deaths 28 British nationals and 16 Americans, including Air Commodore E. M. Maitland and Commander L. H. Maxfield, the latter the prospective American commanding officer.
Criteria The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.... The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. MoreHide
Comments Maxfield, Louis H.
Commander, U.S. Navy
Capitaine Caussin, U.S. Naval Aviation Forces
Date Of Action: April 25, 1918
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to Commander Louis H. Maxfield, U.S. Navy, for extra... Maxfield, Louis H.
Commander, U.S. Navy
Capitaine Caussin, U.S. Naval Aviation Forces
Date Of Action: April 25, 1918
Citation:
The Navy Cross is awarded to Commander Louis H. Maxfield, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on the occasion of the fall of a French dirigible in which he was acting as direction pilot. Two enlisted men in the nose of the dirigible went overboard when it struck the water. Being encumbered by their fur-lined suits and boots, both men called for help, and Commander Maxfield jumped overboard and went to their assistance. The dirigible drifted away and he had much difficulty in keeping them up, but succeeded in doing so until help arrived. MoreHide
Criteria The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for military service during the First World War. It was awarded for active service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918; for service with the American... The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for military service during the First World War. It was awarded for active service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918; for service with the American Expeditionary Forces in European Russia between November 12, 1918, and August 5, 1919; or for service with the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia between November 23, 1918, and April 1, 1920. MoreHide
Description
Pilot, World War I. Received the Navy Cross.
Chain of Command
26 September 1917. Lt. Louis H. Maxfield, commanding the Naval Air Detachment at Akron, Ohio, reported the qualification of 11 students, including himself, as lighter-than-air pilots and requested their designation as Naval Aviators (Dirigibles).
These men, the first trained specifically as dirigible pilots, were subsequently assigned Naval Aviator numbers ranging from 94 to 104.
Prospective Commanding Officer ZR-2.
24 August 1921--During its fourth trial flight, the R-38 (ZR-2) rigid airship built for the Navy by the Royal Air Force, broke into two parts and fell into the Humber River at Hull, England. It carried to their deaths 28 British nationals and 16 Americans, including Air Commodore E. M. Maitland and Commander L. H. Maxfield, the latter the prospective American commanding officer.