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Samuel
Kinkead
Name: Samuel Marcus
Kinkead
Country: South Africa
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force
Units: 3 Wing (RNAS) 1 Naval (RNAS) 201 (RAF)
Victories: 33
Date Of Birth: February 25, 1897
Place of Birth: Johannesburg
Date Of Death: March 12, 1928
Place of Death: Calshot, Hampshire, EnglandJoining the Royal Naval Air Service in September of 1915,
Kinkead was assigned to the Dardanelles with 3 Naval Wing in 1916.
Here he scored his first three victories flying Nieuport and
Bristol Scouts. In 1917, he saw action on the Somme and at Ypres
while serving with 1 Naval Squadron. In April of 1918, this unit
became 201 Squadron of the newly formed Royal Air Force. Flying
the Sopwith Camel, Kinkead scored 24 victories and ended the war
as 201 Squadron's highest scoring ace.
After the war, he served with 47 Squadron in Russia, scoring
several more victories and receiving the Distinguished Service
Order. In 1921, as a flight commander under Raymond Collishaw,
Kinkead saw action with 30 Squadron in the Middle East. In 1928,
as a member of the RAF Schneider Trophy team, Kinkead was killed
in a crash as he attempted to break the world air speed record in
a Supermarine S5.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
"In recognition of the conspicuous gallantry and skill displayed
by him in the face of the enemy in aerial combats, notably on the
following occasions: On the October 24, 1917, he brought down an
enemy machine, and immediately afterwards encountered and drove
off a group of seven hostile aeroplanes. On the December 4, 1917,
he brought down an enemy two-seater machine completely out of
control. By his skill and determination in attacking enemy
machines he has always shown a fine example to other pilots." DSC
citation, London Gazette, 22 February 1918
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)Bar
"For the skill and courage displayed by him as a pilot. On the
March 22, 1918, he attacked and drove down out of control an
Albatros scout which was attacking a French machine. He has
brought down many other enemy machines. He is an exceptionally
good pilot, and a clever and plucky fighter, and has performed
very fine work, both on offensive patrols and on low flying
missions." DSC Bar citation, London Gazette, April 26, 1918
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"A skilful and gallant leader, who has attacked enemy formations
superior in numbers with marked success. In a recent engagement,
his patrol flew to the assistance of some of our machines which
were greatly outnumbered by the enemy, and succeeded in accounting
for three enemy machines and scattered the remainder." DFC
citation, London Gazette, August 3, 1918
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
"On a recent date, this officer engaged a large party of troops in
a wood. The engagement lasted for an hour, but so persistent was
his attack that the enemy broke and dispersed. During this attack
he was harassed by six hostile scouts. Later on he shot down an
enemy two-seater in our lines. A bold and daring airman." DFC Bar
citation, London Gazette, November 2, 1918
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
"On October 12, 1919, near Kotluban, this officer led a formation
of Camel machines and attacked the Cavalry Division of Dumenko. By
skilful tactics in low flying he dispersed this force, which had
turned the left flank of the Caucasian Army, and threatened to
jeopardize the whole defence of Tzaritzin. Flying Officer Kinkead
has carried out similar attacks on enemy troops, batteries, camps
and transport with great success and at considerable personal
risk." DSO citation, London Gazette, April 1, 1920 |
