Ralph Bottriell
Ralph W. Bottriel (died December 26, 1943) became the first American military person to jump from an aircraft using a manually-operated backpack parachute on 19 May 1919. He later received the Distinguished Flying Cross for this feat. Bottriel was considered "the dean of parachute jumpers" and made over 500 jumps.[1] He died on December 26, 1943, of natural causes.[2][3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Army's Parachute Pioneer to Retire After 30 Years". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 1940-03-31. p. 3. Retrieved 2020-06-02 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ "Pioneer Parachutist Dies Natural Death". The Brownsville Herald. 1943-12-28. p. 18. Retrieved 2020-06-02 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Obituary for Ralph W. Bottrlell". Pampa Daily News. 1943-12-30. p. 3. Retrieved 2020-06-02 – via Newspapers.com .
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