How Billy Glenn Rushing Post Got Its Name Cited, Escambia, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/escambia/history/bgrush.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: Ronald D. Bridges ==================================================================== September 1998 How Billy Glenn Rushing Post Got Its Name Cited (American Legion Post, Atmore, Esc. Co., AL) History of Atmore Soldier Club Is Adorned in Background of Real Heroism and Valor If you would like to know how Atmore’s American legion post got its name, and why it was so named, give us your ear a few moment: The post was named in honor of Billy Glenn Rushing, son of Atmore’s present mayor, W. E. Rushing, and wife, who distinguished himself in the service for America in the war with Germany, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria, in 1917 and 1918, as an aviator in France, losing his life in action. Born at Troy, Ala., Sept. 13, 1893, Billy Glenn moved here with his parents a few year later. After attending the high school in Atmore he went to the Polytechnic Institute at Auburn, from which school he graduated in 1915 as an electrical engineer. When the trouble with Mexico came in 1916 he enlisted in company A, 1st Alabama National Guard, June 28. July 1st of that year he was appointed corporal; and Feb. 1, 1917, was promoted to sergeant, then to top sergeant Feb. 15. He saw service on the Mexican border from October, 1916, to March, 1917. After attending the Reserve Officers Training Camp at Ft. McPherson, Ga., he was recommended for captaincy in the infantry, in May, 1917. But he resigned to enter the aviation service, being given an honorable discharge. Re-enlisting, he entered the ground school for training cadet officers in the aviation section of the signal corps July 5, 1917. Being an electrical engineer he was placed in charge of his squadron detachment, as instructor in wireless while at Georgia Tech. From this school he graduated Aug. 18, 1917, one of three honor students, being recommended by H. H. C. Richards, the commandant, to be sent overseas at once to become a full fledged American aviator. He was sent to New York and sailed Sept. 8, 1917, on the Adriatic, a White Star Line ship, landing in Italy Oct. 15, 1917. At the Italian aviation camp, Foggia, he was given six months, flying five different types of machines, doing many aerial stunts without a single accident. March 23, 1918, with other American Eagles of the air, he was sent to guard the Italian front. Against the Austrians this detachment of aerial fighters, numbering 40 daring and capable aviators, proved so efficient and effective that General Pershing ordered the squadron to France, where the great drive destined to smash the Hindenburg line, was being fomented. Billy Glenn was detached from the squadron and given special assignments. He went wherever called - sometimes to pilot a gigantic bombing plane across the line with its cargo of death-dealing miscles, to be poured out on German army camps behind the lines It was while on an assignment as ferry pilot, out of Tours, France, guarding off German planes to protect transport ships bringing soldiers and munitions of war into France, that Billy Glenn Rushing lost his life, June 15, 1918. Making a turn, in some way his machine went into a nose dive, and he was almost instantly killed. Though flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet when the accident occurred, when the plane plunged into a wheat field below, his body was not mangled or disfigured in any way. The plane was the Farman type of French design, which was later condemned for war use. All of his records show him to have been a true, honest and faithful soldier , loyal to the cause, the type who considers it an honor to die for his country. After this, his first and last accident, the body of Billy Glenn Rushing, the Atmorean who had so distinguished himself as an American soldier of the air, was laid to rest in Grave No. 84, Tours, France. Later it was brought back to American, and Atmore, where it was re-interred. It was in recognition of this record of service that his comrades in arms named their organization, home and meeting place, when Billy Glenn Rushing post No. 90 of the American legion was chartered Feb. 2, 1923. (1) (1) " How Billy Glenn Rushing Post Got Its Name Cited." The Atmore Advance, 8 Aug. 1929, p. 1. The Farman type of plane was what Billy Glenn Rushing was flying when he crashed. Far·man (fär¹men, fär-mäN¹), Henri 1874-1958 French aviation pioneer who with his brother Maurice (1877-1964) produced the first long-distance passenger plane, which began regular flights between Paris and London in 1919. Transportation, 1908 French aviation pioneer Henri Farman, 34, flies a Voison biplane from Bony to Reims in the first city-to-city flight. Farman will develop the Farman biplane with his brother Maurice, 31, and will build an aircraft factory at Boulogne Billancourt. Political Events, 1916 French pilots in Spads and Nieuports gain control of the air from the Germans who have held mastery for a year flying Fokkers equipped with A. H. G. Fokker’s device that permits pilots to fire through their revolving propellers. The British introduce new De Havillands and Farman Experimentals in July, and the German ace Max Immelman, 26, is shot down July 18. (He has invented the air combat maneuver that will be known as the Immelman turn.) Fog·gia Fog·gia (fô¹je) A city of southern Italy northeast of Naples. It is a transportation and industrial center and a major wheat market. Population, 157,126. Near where Billy Glenn Rushing was given six months of training by flying five different planes. Tours (t¢r) A city of west-central France on the Loire River. Dating to pre-Roman times, it was a prosperous silk-manufacturing town from the 15th century to the 17th century and a Huguenot stronghold until the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Today it is a tourist center with varied industries. Population, 132,209. The French city that Billy ferried out on June 15, 1918,as a pilot guarding off German planes and later died. He was also buried there. Ar·mi·stice Day (är¹mî-stîs) November 11, formerly observed in the United States in commemoration of the signing of the armistice ending World War I in 1918. Since 1954 it has been incorporated into the observances of Veterans Day. Glenn Rushing: When Lt. Billy Glenn Rushing was killed at Flanders Fields in France, Atmore lost its first native son in World War I. Legion Post Named In Rushing’s Honor "Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Lt. Billy Glenn Rushing died June 15 (1918) in aeroplane service." With this message from military headquarters in Washington, Mr. And Mrs. W. E. Rushing learned of the death of their son, and Atmore lost its first native son in World War I. A 1914 electrical engineering graduate of Auburn, Rushing was among the first to volunteer for Army service, enlisting June 28, 1916, with Company A. He was sent to Ft. McPherson and was recommended for a captaincy. He resigned and volunteered for aviation service, going to Georgia Tech, where after a few months of training, he graduated as an honored member of his class. Then he was assigned overseas, first in France, then in Italy, and finally giving his life at Flanders Field. Atmore’s American Legion Post 90 is named in honor of Rushing. The senior Rushing is as well remembered in Atmore as his war hero son. He was elected as the second mayor of Atmore in 1910 and also filled an unexpired term as probate judge of Escambia County. (1) (1) "Legion Post Named In Rushing’s Honor." Atmore Advance and Brewton Standard Historical Edition, Thursday, 30 Sep 1976. There is a Memorial on the lawn of the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton, AL. This Memorial is dedicated to the menand women of Escambia County who have served their country. Billy G. Rushing's name is on it.