Biography Of Field Kindley Is Nominated For AF Award

— The biography of World War I Air Ace Field Kindley was recently nominated for best book of 2008 by the Air Force Historical Foundation.

The book, “War Bird Ace...” chronologized the life of the Gravette airman who rose to the rank of Captain in World War I and who ranked fourth in the number of enemy plane kills.

The book is authored by Gravette native Jack S. Ballard, who is a retired Air Force Colonel who served as an instructor at the U. S. Air Force Academy. Ballard now lives in Centennial, Colorado.

Ballard wrote recently that, “It did not win but it was great to have it nominated.”

He also noted he has recently completed a biography of Army Major General Henry Clay Merriam from the post-Civil War era.

“War Bird Ace” was one of 11 books nominated for the Air Power History Book Award which was awarded to “The Lufwaffe over Germany” written by Donald Caldwell and Richard Muller.

Air Power History publication, which listed the books nominated, wrote, “three judges spent many hours in making their decision. . . . and they recommended them to anyone who has an interest in air power and the Air Force.”

The Kindley biography “War Bird Ace: The Great War Exploits of Captain Field Kindley” is available at the Gravette Public Library and copies may be purchased at the Gravette Historical Museum.

News, Pages 1 on 02/24/2010