James McConnell (1887 - 1917)

James Rogers McConnell (14 March 1887 – 19 March 1917) flew as an aviator during World War I in the Lafayette Escadrille and authored 'Flying for France'. While convalescing from a back injury, suffered during a landing mishap, McConnell found time to compose 'Flying for France'. In aerial combat with two German planes, McConnell died on March 19, 1917 above the Somme battlefields.