A Marine aviation first

On Sep. 18, 1918, two Marines flying with the British Royal Air Force, 1st Lt. Everett R. Brewer and Gunnery Sergeant Harry B. Wershiner, were flying an air raid mission over Belgium with the Royal Air Force when they came under attack from 15 German scout planes. The Marines shot down two planes–only being credited with one–and became the first Marine aviators to shoot down another plane.

They were both seriously wounded–Brewer shot through the hips and Wershiner shot through both lungs—but managed to fly their de Havilland DH-9 back to the Aerodrome after shaking their opponents. Both were awarded the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart.