1st Lt. Hugh S. Thompson belonged to the famous 96th Aero Squadron in World War I. The story of the squadron in 1918 is also his story. Hugh Thompson was one of the ten men who flew five worn out Breguet aircraft into history on the afternoon of June 12, 1918 when they bombed the railway yards at Dommary-Baroncourt, France, completing the first ever U.S. military bombing mission.

For three months the 96th Aero Squadron was the only operational U.S. bombing squadron. Only bad weather could force the squadron to turn back from a mission. Intense enemy fighter opposition caused heavy losses but could never force the men of the 96th Squadron to fail to carry out their mission.

This book describes the ground school, flight training, bombing training, weapons, bombs, bombsight and aircraft. It also includes a report of each mission the 96th Aero Squadron flew in World War I including the men who flew them.

Hugh Thompson’s military career began in the cavalry along the Mexican border in 1916 against Pancho Villa. A year later, he learned to fly in France and was one of the first flyers to join the 96th Aero Squadron. He flew twenty combat missions against the Germans. This is his story interwoven with the history of the 96th Aero Squadron in World War I. This thoroughly-researched and footnoted book includes photographs, map, and index.