Lt. Fred Norton Lt. Fred Norton of Columbus, Ohio, was a pilot in the 27th Aero Squadron. On July 20, 1918, during the Chateau-Thierry campaign, he was severely wounded by ground fire while strafing a column of German troops. Although he was able to land his Nieuport 28 behind Allied lines, it took him two days to get to a hospital in an ambulance because of traffic congestion near the Front. He contracted pneumonia and died on July 23 at a military hospital near Angiers. His last conscious act before he died was to scribble a note to his buddies, "Twenty-seventh, more power to you." The flying jacket on display was worn by Lt. Norton when he was hit by two bullets from the ground, one through the back and the other through the right sleeve. Also displayed with the jacket are French hospital tags for Lt. Norton after he was severely wounded. Items donated by Mr. Ulrich C. Urton, Albuquerque, N.M. Click here to return to the Air Service Overview. Find Out More Related Fact Sheets Nieuport 28 Ford Model T Ambulance Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.