Quick Facts
Biography
Lieutenant William Portwood Erwin was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.
Early life
William Portwood Erwin was the son of W. A. Erwin of Chicago. The younger Erwin, born elsewhere, was a Chicago native also.
World War I
Erwin was assigned to 1st Observation Squadron on 19 July 1918. As a Salmson 2A2 pilot, he scored his victories between 15 September and 22 October 1918; half of them were with gunner Arthur Easterbrook.
Postwar
Erwin died during the Dole Air Race between Oakland, California and Hawaii. He flew the Dallas Spirit, a custom aircraft built by the Swallow Airplane Company on credit for the attempt. Erwin failed to return from a search for two other missing competitors, the Miss Doran and The Golden Eagle, and is presumed drowned 19 August 1927.