Why Our Post Is Named for Lt. Norman Prince

Since 1927, VFW Post 1506 has proudly served the veterans, military families, and the community of Melrose, Massachusetts. Named in honor of Lt. Norman Prince, our Post carries forward the legacy of one of Massachusetts' most distinguished World War I heroes—a man whose courage, leadership, and commitment to service continue to inspire generations of veterans.

WHO WAS LT. NORMAN PRINCE?

An American aviator and the founder of France’s Lafayette Escadrille.

Lt. Norman Prince was a Harvard-trained lawyer who pursued his passion for aviation and became one of America's earliest licensed pilots. When World War I began, he traveled to France, where his vision and determination helped establish the Lafayette Escadrille—the renowned squadron of American volunteer pilots who flew for France before the United States entered the war. His leadership, courage, and sacrifice secured his place as one of the pioneers of military aviation and continue to inspire generations of veterans and aviators.

Relentless Efforts Led to the Historic Creation of the Lafayette Escadrille

THE SOLEMN LEGACY

Lt. Norman Prince in World War I

Lt. Norman Prince (1887–1916) was an American aviator and the founder of France’s Lafayette Escadrille, a pioneering American unit in the French Air Service during World War I, who died in combat on October 15, 1916.

Early Life and Aviation Career

Norman Prince was born August 31, 1887, in Beverly, Massachusetts, the son of Frederick Henry Prince Wikipedia. He attended Groton School, graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 1908, and later Harvard Law School in 1911. He earned his pilot’s license in 1911, becoming the 55th American licensed to fly. Prince had a deep interest in aviation, even training at the Wright Brothers’ school World War I.

Founding the Lafayette Escadrille

In 1915, Prince traveled to France, where he persuaded French authorities to allow an American squadron to be formed. In April 1916, he led the creation of the Escadrille Américaine, later renamed the Lafayette Escadrille in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette World War I. He worked with fellow Americans William Thaw II, Elliott C. Cowdin, and others to establish the unit.

Service and Combat Record

Prince served as a sergeant in the French Air Service, participating in 122 aerial combat missions and earning five aerial victories. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre, Médaille Militaire, and the Croix de la Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest honor.

Death in Action

On the evening of October 12, 1916, while escorting bombers, Prince’s plane caught on a high‑tension wire. The aircraft flipped mid‑air, and Prince was thrown from it. Despite ordering his crew to light fires to warn other pilots, he died from his injuries three days later. He was 29 years old.

Legacy and Honors

Prince is remembered as one of the “fathers of the United States Air Force” for his role in integrating American pilots into the French air war. His tomb, near President Woodrow Wilson’s, is in Washington National Cathedral, and a marble statue marks his grave. The Prince family and French and American airmen have commemorated him annually.

In summary:

Lt. Norman Prince was a Harvard‑trained lawyer, pioneering aviator, and founder of the Lafayette Escadrille, whose leadership and sacrifice in WWI cemented his place in aviation history.