HAVILAND-WILLIS

Navy Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Willis B. Haviland, United States Navy (Reserve Force), for distinguished and heroic service as a Seaplane Pilot in which capacity he made many flights for patrolling the sea and bombing the enemy coasts, showing at all times courage and a high spirit of duty.

Action Date: World War I

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant

Company: Pilot

Regiment: Seaplane Detachment

Division: Naval Aviation Forces

Capt Haviland served in the American Field Service Ambulance Corps, Alsace, France, 1907-1911. He served in the Lafayette Escadrille, flying combat missions in a Sopwith Camel single seat aircraft, 1916-1917. He was then Executive Officer and Chief Pilot, at Dunkerque, followed by Commanding Officer, USNRF Air Station Porto Corsini, Italy. Haviland's next assignment was USS Texas BB-35 where he designed a launch platform and was the first pilot to fly an aircraft off of a Battleship. After that he transfered to USS Oklahoma BB-37. Next he was assigned as Executive Officer, then Commanding Officer of NAS Whidbey Island Washington. After accepting a World War II assignment to Southeast Asia, he suddenly died on 11/28/1944, before he could report for duty. Captain Haviland's awards include both the French and Belgium Croix de Guerre and the Italian Medal of Military Valor. Captain Haviland is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Submitted by Doug Bewall RMCM USN Ret