| William Thomas Ponder | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 March 1893 Llano, Texas, USA |
| Died | 27 February 1947 Amarillo, Texas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army Air Service |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | French: No. 67 Escadrille, No. 163 Escadrille; American 103rd Aero Squadron |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross, French Croix de Guerre |
Lieutenant William Thomas Ponder was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]
Contents |
Ponder joined the French air service in the fall of 1917. He was originally assigned to Escadrille 67, then Escadrille 163.[2] While with this unit, he used a Spad to down three German planes between 28 May and 11 August 1918; one of these victories was shared with Thomas Cassady. Ponder then transferred to an American unit, the 103rd Aero Squadron, and scored three more times in the month of October; one of these was shared with Frank O'Driscoll Hunter.[3]
Ponder got caught flying beer in from Mexico into Texas in May 1932, in violation of prohibition.[4]
Ponder worked for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation in Fort Worth. He then founded the Ponder Aircraft Sales Company. He was on a sales trip for his company when he died of a heart attack in a hotel room in Amarillo on 27 February 1947.[5][6]
American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, 9781841763750.