Clarence K. Bronson

Five early American naval aviators in Pensacola, c. 1915. From left: Lt. (j.g.) Walter A. Edwards USN, Lt. (j.g.) Clarence K. Bronson USN, Lt. (j.g.) Godfrey Chevalier USN, 2nd Lt. William M. McIlvain USMC, and Lt. (j.g.) Kenneth Whiting USN.

Clarence K. Bronson (21 July 1888 – 8 November 1916) was a pioneer aviator in the United States Navy.

Bronson was born in Bushnell, Illinois, on 21 July 1888 and was a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1910. After service afloat, he was trained in aviation in 1914 at the Curtiss Aeroplane Company in Hammondsport, New York, and at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Lieutenant (junior grade) Bronson was killed at the Naval Proving Ground Indianhead, Indianhead, Maryland, on 8 November 1916, while testing experimental aerial bombs.

Namesake

In 1943, the destroyer USS Clarence K. Bronson (DD-668) was named in his honor.

See also

• List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (pre-1925)

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.