Balloon Ace

Balloon Ace tells the captivating story of Louis Bennett Jr., a young man driven by a legacy of service and a passion for aviation. Bennett's relentless pursuit of his dream to establish a national aerial reserve force showcases his visionary spirit and determination. Dusch masterfully weaves together Bennett's personal journey with the broader historical context of World War I, offering a unique perspective on an often-overlooked figure in aviation history.

~Michael S. Neiberg, author of Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I

Major Dusch weaves the story of Louis Bennett Jr. into the fabric of American history, from collective memories of the Civil War to the birth of military aviation, the old world of Yale men with an extraordinary sense of duty, and a grieving mother determined to memorialize her son's sacrifice.

~Steve Zdatny, professor of history, University of Vermont

Balloon Ace tells the story of the enormous courage and sacrifice of the first generations of American aviators who went to war in 1917. It recounts the exploits of Louis Bennett Jr. of Wheeling, West Virginia who, after America's entrance in World War I, dropped out of Yale and formed the all-volunteer West Virginia Flying Corps. Although stymied by the War Department, who refused to accept his unit into US Army Air Service, Bennett remained undeterred and saw service with the Royal Flying Corps in France. Charles D. Dusch Jr., the noted aviation historian, does not end the story of Bennett with his death in combat, but describes the remarkable efforts of his mother to preserve the memory of her son that included the dedication of a memorial window in Westminster Abbey. This is a book that will interest not only historians of military aviation, but also those who want to understand questions of mourning, commemoration, and memory in the aftermath of World War I.

~G. Kurt Piehler, author of Remembering War the American Way and A Religious Life of the American GI in World War II

With Balloon Ace, former US Air Force officer and historian Chuck Dusch has made a valuable contribution to the literature of the Great War, the infancy of military aviation, and American military culture. This story is engaging and well written. It will be a welcome addition to the library of any serious student of military history.

~Chuck Steele, professor of history, US Air Force Academy

Chuck Dusch has created a brilliant biography, weaving Lou Bennett's Great War experience with larger issues of American preparations for war, US–British relations, and memorializing the fallen. With solid research and a rare collection of illustrations, this book is a must-read for airpower historians of World War I.

~John Abbatiello, author of Anti-Submarine Warfare in World War I: British Naval Aviation and the Defeat of the U-Boats

Balloon Ace not only tells the fascinating story of one adventurous young Great War pilot and visionary, Louis Bennett, Jr., but also the equally interesting saga of his family's struggles to make sense of his service and his sacrifice. In doing so, Balloon Ace tells us a great deal about the American people, their experiences with World War I, and their efforts to understand it.

~Mark Grotelueschen, author of The AEF Way of War: The American Army and Combat in World War I

Balloon Ace tells the story of West Virginia native Louis Bennett in a way that captures the enthusiasm and drama of the early Air Age, the sacrifice and tragedy of the Great War, and the complex social and emotional process of mourning and commemorating those lost in that war.

~Jay Lockenour, author of Dragonslayer: The Legend of Erich Ludendorff in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich