This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Hazlehurst, Leighton Wilson, Jr., 1st Lt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Macon, Georgia
Last Address Washington, DC area
Date of Passing Jun 11, 1912
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
He was a classmate of Hap Arnold at West Point.
On June 11, 1912, he was a passenger and official observer during an acceptance trial for the Army's first Wright Model C airplane. The plane crashed and he and pilot Al Welsh were killed. He was survived by his wife and 8 year-old daughter. Although protocol for funerals for officers of his rank called only for the participation of a platoon of infantry, the entire garrison at Fort Myer including all the Army's aviators turned out for the ceremony, while a squadron of the 15th Cavalry and battalion of the 3rd Field Artillery provided the honor escort. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leighton_Wilson_Hazelhurst,_Jr.)
The former Hazelhurst Field, Mineola, NY was named for him.
(see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt_Field_(airport))
Sources differ as to whether his surname was Hazelhurst or Hazlehurst. The latter seems to be correct.
