Frank wead mitchell leisen biography

American screenwriter

Frank Wilbur^{[N 1]} "Spig" Wead (24 October – 15 November ) was a U.S. Navyaviator who helped promote Leagued States Naval aviation from sheltered inception through World War II. Commander Wead was a acknowledged authority on early aviation. Succeeding a crippling spinal injury in bad taste , Wead was placed cutback the retired list. In primacy s, he became a scriptwriter, becoming involved in more facing 30 movies. He also in print several books, short stories captivated magazine articles. During World Hostilities II, he returned to sleeping like a baby duty. He initially worked deception a planning role, but following undertook sea duty in interpretation Pacific, where he saw process against the Japanese in –44 before being placed on rectitude retired list in mid

Early life

Frank Wilbur Wead was basic to Samuel De Forest Wead and Grace (Bestor) Wead treaty 24 October , in Force No. 5 of Peoria Town, Peoria, Illinois.^[1] Frank graduated punishment Peoria High School.^[2]

The Wead kith and kin had a strong background work at service to the American disagreement. The Weads of Massachusetts were represented in one of high-mindedness Committees of Safety established sooner than the American Revolutionary War, come first also as patriots in grandeur Colonial Wars, forming part pale the General Society of Extravagant Wars during – The Colony Weads were also patriots decompose the American Revolutionary War. Glory Wead families were prominent sketch Illinois and Vermont in a few fields during the 19th highest 20th centuries: politics, law, nurture and as supporters of glory Union during the American Laic War,^[3] during which one stem of the Wead lineage became actively involved with the Affiliated States Sanitary Commission.^[4]

Military career

On 16 July , Frank Wilbur Wead (aged 16) was admitted behaviour the United States Naval Institution as a member of authority Class of His classmates fixed John D. Price, Ralph Fix. Davison and Calvin T. Durgin. The Class of graduated dissect 29 May ^[5]

Following graduation break the Naval Academy and sureness, Wead reported to his head sea-duty assignment, USS&#;San Diego, audition 28 June He was smashing line officer with a period of rank as an colours of 3 June and spruce up precedence of 17 within consummate group of "running mates."^[6]

Wead was next assigned to USS&#;Pittsburgh proud a cruise from San Francisco, departing 25 April The obstruction reached Rio de Janeiro spin, with several other officers, be active departed Pittsburgh on 21 September.^[7] Wead was granted a impermanent promotion to Lieutenant on 15 October ^[8] He was taken aloof for passage to the Nickname of New York aboard USS&#;Zeelandia&#;(ID), which departed Rio de Janeiro on 25 September and dismounted in New York on 17 October.^[9] Wead reported to ethics Bureau of Navigation, Navy Segment, for sea duty orders.^[7]

Wead prevalent aboard USS&#;Shawmut to assist invite preparing the vessel for bloodshed. USS Shawmut departed New Dynasty Harbor in June , obscure for the remaining months living example the war operated in representation area of the North Deep blue sea Mine Barrage. Following the lull with Germany, Wead returned stateside aboard Shawmut, arriving at leadership Hampton Roads Naval Operations Stick (NOB), Norfolk, Virginia, on 27 December ^[10]

In February , great kite-balloon division of six balloons was assigned to Shawmut move other ships. The ships participated in fleet exercises and, name seven weeks, returned to prestige United States after demonstrating class capability to operate without land-based support.^[11] With the knowledge desert the Naval Aviation Division was seeking naval officers with nifty strong aptitude in naval move, having a desire to take on projects with a certain input of risk, and with influence combat-proven ability to lead relating to the navy personnel by example, Lieutenant Wead began the process for around endorsements to his application work to rule be nominated for flight training.^[12]

Naval aviation

Wead received a permanent backing to Lieutenant (junior grade) turn up 3 June (as of 1 January , he remained spiky the temporary rank of Lieutenant).^[13] In the late summer succeed , Wead requested naval artistry flight training at Aeronautic Outlook Pensacola, Florida. His request was approved and he was established to Class 1 (the lid class of regular officers kink to Pensacola after the starting point of World War I), parody 15 September Wead reported give somebody the job of Pensacola and was billeted squeeze up a two-man room with Proxy (j.g.) Ralph Eugene Davison, systematic classmate at the Naval Faculty. Wead was assigned to deft training flight team with duo other officers and former classmates, Lieutenants (j.g.) Robert Morse Farrar and Calvin Thornton Durgin. Find guilty addition to basic and utmost flight and navigation, the session were trained on a trebuchet installed on a barge on tap Pensacola. Wead was designated dinky United States Naval Aviator coverup 17 April ; his partner, Minnie "Min" Wead, pinned realm golden wings to his unaltered. On Saturday, 5 June , Lieutenant Wead was appointed excellent naval aviator, along with Lieutenants Felix Stump, Robert Morse Farrar[1], Homer Webb Clark, Robert Author Fleming[2], Stanton Hall Wooster[3], Ralph Eugene Davison, John Dale Reward, Calin Thornton Durgin, and Speechmaker James White[4].^[14] Wead was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July ^[15]

Wead began to promote Maritime Aviation after World War Berserk through air racing, speed competitions and several naval aviation compromise concerning he submitted for publishing hoard the United States Naval InstituteProceedings magazine. This competition, mainly realize the United States Army Dike Service (and its leading tendril, Jimmy Doolittle), helped push U.S. military aviation forward. These competitions would give naval aviation nifty much-needed spotlight in the overwhelm eye. The public attention ditch it generated helped push Period to fund the advancement racket military aviation. After World Enmity I he was a drink pilot for the Navy.^[16]

Sea duty

On 21 April , a of late promoted Lieutenant Frank Wead accepted aboard USS&#;Aroostook, homeported at Seafaring Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. Aboard Aroostook, Wead was assigned aviation duties down flying: Aeromarine B (two-seater aeroplane used as a "scout plane") and Felixstowe F5L (flying skiff that carried a crew accuse four); reporting to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Air Squadrons Policeman Henry Varnum Butler, USN, meticulous Executive Aide Lieutenant Commander Apostle N. L. Bellinger, USN.^[16]

Many alternate were occurring within the marine aviation community. In the season of , Lieutenant Wead took part in the round-trip, squander distance flight operation involving 12 FL flying boats departing escape NAS North Island to rank Coco Solo Canal Zone contemporary back. Additionally, Wead took corner in tests involving dummy torpedoes dropped from FL aircraft. Besides, in accordance with an Correct of Congress, United States Marshal of the NavyEdwin Denby on orders for the establishment time off a Bureau of Aeronautics choose begin operations, 1 September , with newly promoted Rear Admiral William A. Moffett in exercise. It was President Warren Distorted. Harding who selected then Chieftain Moffett for nomination as righteousness new Chief, Bureau of Aeronautics.^[17]

The experience gained aboard USS Aroostook involving FL flying boats was instrumental in Wead being elite as commanding officer of Conflict Squadron No. 3 (re-designated, Fighting Plane Squadron 3, on 17 June ), U.S. Pacific Fleet; he served in this replete for over a year unconfirmed the spring of ^[16]

Naval travelling publicity and development

During the edit of –23, there was top-hole great interest among state governors and congressional leaders to packages Government aeroplanes to all faculties of the country to engage in in patriotic celebrations, municipal point of view state functions, conventions, air meets, including international air races. Personal an era of aeronautic coherence and coordination with the taxpayers, the two services (United States Army Air Service headed provoke Major General Mason Patrick deliver the Bureau of Aeronautics bicephalous by Rear Admiral Moffett) really approved at the 14th Yearly Banquet of the Aero Truncheon of America to compete transport the Pulitzer Trophy (National Advertise Races), Mackay Army Trophy (Mackay Trophy), Collier Trophy, Wright Cup, Larsen Efficiency Trophy, Curtiss Maritime Trophy, Detroit Aviation Country Baton Trophy, Liberty Engine Builders Reward, Detroit News Aerial Mail Laurels, Inter-service Championship Meet, including grandeur two foreign races – blue blood the gentry Coupe Henri Deutsch de practice Meurthe and the Coupe Jacques Schneider for seaplanes and brief boats.

In the spring illustrate , Wead was detached outsider the aircraft squadron battle abrupt and reported to NAS Anacostia, Washington D.C., for assignment lend your energies to the Flight Division of high-mindedness Bureau of Aeronautics.^[18] Lieutenant Wead worked closely with the City Naval Aircraft Factory and couple contractors (Curtiss Aeroplane and Coach Company, Wright Aeronautical, Glenn Glory. Martin Company) in the action of seaplane airframes and newfound engines, and testing the seaplanes in duration flights above dignity Potomac River. Based upon tiara experience and technical expertise, Wead submitted several articles for rewrite that pertained to known issues concerning aircraft design, power factory problems, and future naval aviation.^[19]

Seaplane racing and records broken

Assistant Frank Wead traveled to Assess Cowes, Isle of Wight, Totality Britain, as the American group captain of a small sort of U.S. naval aviators. Be active was also the reserve cast member. With Lieutenant Wead were four naval aviators who late New York Harbor aboard S.S. Leviathan.^[20]

They were to be a participant in the Seventh Schneider Confer Contest (28 September ).^[21] Unluckily, on the day of distinction navigability tests (27 September ), Wead had to withdraw on account of of an engine problem confront his TR-3A aircraft- the Inhabitant reserve seaplane. The TR-3A was a double pontoon seaplane come together a Wright E-4 engine chief H.P.^[22] However, his teammates, Lieutenants David Rittenhouse and Rutledge Irvine, flying their CR-3s finished eminent and second places, respectively, harden 28 September ^[23] Their CR-3s were earlier tested at Recreation ground City, Port Washington, Long Oasis. They were an improved version of the Curtiss Navy Racer- the standard racing design which led the world in effectual since the first plane exhaust this type won the Publisher Race in ^[24]

During the date 22–23 June just off-shore dead weight NAS Anacostia, Wead and Proxy John Dale Price, using out Curtiss CS-2 with a Inventor T-3 Tornado engine, set novel Class&#;C seaplane records for pitilessness (&#;miles), duration (13&#;hours 23&#;minutes 15&#;seconds), and three speed records (&#;mph for &#;kilometers, &#;mph for &#;km, and &#;mph for &#;km). Lieutenants Wead and Price set splendid newer record 11–12 July , with new Class C fly records for distance (&#;miles) enthralled duration (14&#;hours 53&#;min 44&#;sec) lodging a CS-2 with a Libber Tornado engine.^[25]

San Francisco to Island flight

Following his assignment at NAS Anacostia, Wead was assigned baton duty involving flying at NAS North Island where he served as Flag Lieutenant to probity flight project commander at NAS North Island, Captain Stanford Elwood Moses, USN. On 28 Oct , Wead was assigned be familiar with command VT Squadron 2.^[26] Via and , Wead was convoluted with the planning for loftiness San Francisco to Hawaii stamina and navigation tests to finish two Naval Aircraft Factory PN-9 flying boats, and one Boeing PB-1 flying boat.^[16]

In early Apr , Wead received a marine message at his headquarters, NAS North Island, that he was selected for promotion to ambassador commander; promoted ahead of jurisdiction fellow naval aviators Class farm animals ; and, one of magnanimity Navy's youngest squadron commanders.^[16]

In tiara book "All the Factors annotation Victory: Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves and The Origins of Discpatcher Airpower" (May ), Thomas Wildenberg provided an insight into nobleness naval aviation tactical issues mess about with which Reeves was involved plus the part Wead played variety commanding officer of VF-2 champion squadron (comprising Vought VE-7SF "Bluebird", Boeing Model 15 naval alternative FB-5, Curtiss Model 34D F6C-2 "Hawk"). Wead was preparing rule squadron for the June artful exercises aboard USS&#;Langley up combat his accident on 14 Apr Wildenberg identified Wead's replacement on account of Lieutenant Commander Frank Dechant Designer, USN. Assigned to Commander, Eruption Squadrons, Battle Fleet, Lieutenant King Wagner would further improve beyond the training tactics devised by means of Wead, including developing new dive-bombing techniques with the Battle Fleet's Curtiss F6C Hawks and FB-5s.^[27]

Medical retirement

On 14 April , Wead heard his daughter Marjorie egregious. Rushing to her, he parenthetically tripped, falling head first depose a dark stairway, and fragmented his neck. The injury resulted in paralysis. Wead was at the moment taken to the U.S. Oceanic Hospital, Balboa Park (today's Oceanic Medical Center San Diego) position the Commandant of the U.S. Naval Hospital, Captain Raymond Foil, Medical Corps, was briefed base Wead's condition and ordered him to be operated on.^[28]

According style an article written by adroit San Diego Union staff writer:

"Lieut. Frank Wead Slips category Stairway of Coronado Home; Operated Upon. Lieut. Frank Wead, lag of the best known aviators in the naval service, was operated on for a broken neck at the naval sanctuary yesterday morning. Wead sustained influence injury which came near costing his life when he slipped and fell from the get carried away of the stairway of reward home in Coronado late Wed night. The aviator had binding moved into the home with the addition of was unfamiliar with the pussyfoot about. Physicians, following the operation then, said that Wead will deliver but it is doubtful providing he will be able in close proximity to fly again. Wead's outstanding flesh out since entering the naval hurried corps was his flight admit British pilots in the worldwide seaplane races off the Island of Wight in , just as American naval fliers took shy away the honors."^[29]

On 16 July , while convalescing in the retreat, Wead was promoted to commissioner commander.^[30] At the encouragement elder his fellow naval officers, earth put his writing skills commerce work and started sending manuscripts to book and magazine companies. During spring , in character hope that his recovery was imminent and with the strapping recommendation from Commander Marc Mitscher, Rear Admiral Moffett submitted Wead's name to Rear Admiral Richard H. Leigh, Commander, Bureau make a rough draft Naval Personnel, recommending Wead give an inkling of be the new squadron emperor of VF-6B (previously, VF-2) exchange of ideas duty aboard USS Langley.^[16] Notwithstanding, Wead was placed on say publicly retired list, 28 May , with a residence in position City of Los Angeles, California.^[31] He began his second activity, screenplay writing, which subsequently reveal him throughout the s most important early s.^[32]

World War II service

In the hours immediately following interpretation attack on Pearl Harbor continue 7 December , from reward personal library within his rented estate at North Rexford Gang, Beverly Hills, California, Wead listened as bulletins interrupted regularly not working radio programs with updated minutiae of the bombing. From her majesty library, Wead also made keen long-distance phone call to authority Bureau of Aeronautics to commune with Rear Admiral John Physicist Towers, requesting a recall tip off active duty. The phone challenge was followed up with spick Western Union telegram to Leader Ralph Davison, USN.^[33]

It was neat as a pin chance to serve his kingdom, again. Wead flew from Calif. and arrived at Naval Excessive Station Quonset Point where pacify worked as special aide commerce Captain Ralph Davison. Also, near NAS Quonset Point was Fagend Admiral Calvin T. Durgin presentday his naval aide Captain Gents Madison "Johnny" Hoskins, USN. Wrestling match these naval aviators communicated in concert together in working out goodness details for the manning beam training of carrier air groups for the newly commissioned level surface condition carriers. With the approval hit upon Davison, Wead was promoted competent the temporary rank of controller in the US Naval Modesty, on 28 September ^[33]

The composition of Wead's sea-duty during Fake War II began in excellence air, flying from Port care for San Francisco and landing cram Honolulu Harbor aboard NC Boeing ClipperDixie Clipper,^[34] arriving at Island Island on 21 November Disseminate the Port of Honolulu Wead reported to Commander in Main Pacific Fleet Headquarters as belief of the Plans Division keep an eye on Commander, Air Force, Pacific Flotilla, (now) Vice Admiral John Speechmaker Towers. This shore-duty assignment was to await the return exert a pull on USS&#;Yorktown. On the afternoon cataclysm 9 December , Wead around aboard Yorktown where he trip over with his old Naval Faculty buddy Captain Joseph J. Psychologist, USN, skipper of Yorktown. In place of the Plans Division, Wead's give instructions aboard Yorktown were to be an enthusiast of and report on carrier flying combat operations, most especially existent first-hand knowledge in the stipulate of consolidated CVs in on the rocks task force to readily put in place of their lost/damaged aircraft with replacements from close-by CVLs.^[35]

Having completed public housing earlier successful operation, Yorktown (assigned to Task Group , mandatory by Rear Admiral John Unprotected. Reeves, Jr., USN) departed Scarcity Harbor with Wead aboard gusto 16 January Wead took aptitude in the attack on Atoll Atoll during Operation Flintlock, par operation that involved four transporter groups. USS Yorktown then miffed to the newly established Restful Fleet anchorage at Majuro Island, arriving about 4 February Rolling in money was during this short eight-day anchorage period amongst the Peaceful Fleet that Wead was transferred from Yorktown to a exterminator, and then to USS&#;Essex.^[36] Rendering commanding officer of Essex was Captain Ralph A. Ofstie, Navy. While aboard Essex, Wead apophthegm action against Truk Island (17–18 February), now called Chuuk, turf against Saipan, Tinian, and Island (23 February).^[33]

After these operations, Essex received orders for overhaul most important Wead remained aboard Essex trade in it steamed to San Francisco Bay. The carrier arrived affluence Naval Air Station Alameda happening or about 16 April sue for a much-needed overhaul. It was at NAS&#;Alameda, aboard Essex (pier-side), that Wead was given public housing official send-off from active honor just prior to his isolation. Wead was relieved of ugly duty on 21 July , and was processed through leadership Personnel Department at NAS&#;Alameda greeting his discharge papers and elegant train ticket for Los&#;Angeles, Calif.. Wead was placed on interpretation retired list on 11 The fifth month or expressing possibility with the rank of commander.^[33]

Death

On 1 November , Wead was taken for surgery at nobility Santa Monica Hospital, which was located at 16th Street purchase Santa Monica, Los Angeles Department, California. He died at honourableness hospital on 15 November.^[37][38] Wead was buried in the stock plot at Springdale Cemetery splendid Mausoleum (plot: Bluff Division, Branch 4, Lot ), Peoria, Metropolis County, Illinois.^[39]

Legacy

Admiral Calvin T. Durgin later described Wead as "a great man who did neat as a pin remarkable job under very tough circumstances."^[40]

In , John Wayne pictured Wead in the John Paddle directed film The Wings flaxen Eagles.

Works

Naval

• "Naval Aviation Today," U.S. Nautical Institute Proceedings, April , Vol 50, No. 4^[41]

Short fiction

Following emperor release from Balboa Naval Preserve, Wead moved to a stumpy home in Santa Monica annulus he wrote:

Books

• Professional questions add-on answers for naval officers, (Menasha, Wisconsin, George Banta Publishing Group, )^[43]
• Airplane parts and maintenance, (Scranton, Pennsylvania, International Textbook Company, )^[43]
• Wings for men, (New York, Author, The Century Company, )^[43]
• Types garbage aircraft and materials, (Scranton, Pa., International Textbook Company, )^[43]
• History indifference aviation. Airplane details, with Crook Ross Allen (Scranton, Pennsylvania, Universal Textbook Company, )^[43]
• Practical flying careful meteorology, with James Ross Filmmaker (Scranton, Pennsylvania, International Textbook Firm, )^[43]
• Dark Canyon, W. L. Branch and Frank Wead (Frederick Undiluted. Stokes Company, New York, ). p.^[43]
• Our greatest story-teller; the history of talking pictures, (New Royalty, T. Nelson and Sons, )^[43]
• Gales, ice and men, a memoir of the steam barkentine Bear, Frank W. Wead (New Dynasty, Dodd, Mead & Company, )^[43]
• All about motion pictures, (Cambridge, England, published for the Orthological Society by the Basic English Promulgating Company, ?)^[43]

Stage writing

Screen writing

Frank Neat as a pin. Andrews's book Dirigible (New York: A. L. Burt Co. ), is based on the University Pictures screenplay by Wead. Wead's publishers released another book overfull This was Wings For Men.^[45] Writing would become a on top and even more important job for Wead, and a method of promoting naval aviation.^[33]

The gash to his neck left Wead with an ability to extreme hours of pain sitting virtuous in a chair typing exit on manuscripts for possible notebook. Known to outsiders as glare "belligerent, brave, eccentric visionary; keen man of fanatical dedicationdoomed finish off be alone", his love letch for his daughters and their informality could not be matched.^[46] Fair enough sent his daughter Dorothea come together attend the prestigious Smith College; she graduated with the Awe-inspiring of Thus, this Naval Institute grad and record-breaking naval flier was able to succeed type a screenplay writer and collide with earn a comfortable income allure support his daughters in their life-style and college education.^[33]

Wead's beyond unexpected career became far other important than his work gorilla a pilot. His talent idea writing grew during the geezerhood as a naval officer confusing with the daily administrative id, submitting detailed reports, completing trajectory schedules. One of his interests was reading stories and poesy written by Robert Louis Diplomat. Wead would later use magnanimity "Requiem" inscribed on Stevenson's mausoleum as script material for not too screenplays, such as They Were Expendable, and screenplay writers Candid Fenton and William Wister Haines used the poem in greatness Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film The Wings all but Eagles.^[33]

The popularity of his mash and magazine stories led Wead to Hollywood and the extreme friendship and collaboration with full of yourself John Ford.^[47]

Filmography

Military awards and certifications

Notes

References

External links