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It looks like our online investigators have put some serious doubts into Mr. Bescey’s story that Charles Lindbergh left the gloves at the Peoria airfield in 1925. The key bit of evidence was the label that we posted last week. Several of you followed up that lead to uncover evidence that the gloves were not manufactured until World War II.
Here’s a translation of the label text provided by Craig M. Jones
? TYPE A?9A
( S)PECIFICATION MO 94-3070-?
SIZE MEDIUM
PURCHASE ORDER NO 44G527-?A?
HANSEN GLOVE COMPANY
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE or AIR FORCES
Lou Balleweg pointed out that the words “Air Forces” indicate that the mittens were issued by the U.S. government but that the air arm of the military was known as “The U.S. Army Air Services” until July 1926. The name “Army Air Forces” was not used until 1941.
Craig M. Jones did some additional research on the Hansen Glove Company and found some evidence that suggests that the company name listed on the mittens wasn’t used until after 1926.
The most convincing evidence, however, came from alan who found a passage in the book “US Army Air Force” describing the details of the A-9A model of gloves which were not maunfactured until 1944. Christine also found a photo of the model which lists the Hansen Glove Corp as one of the manufacturers and the dates of production as 1942-1944.
So if Frank Bescey’s gloves could not have belonged to Charles Lindbergh in 1926, what should we make of his extraordinary story? Did he make the whole thing up or just get the details wrong? Many of the other details in the story — such as the location of the airfield and country club and Lindbergh’s airmail flights to Peoria in the 1920’s — seem to check out. So why would he make up such a story and then go to the trouble to write it down?
A couple of viewers have suggested some theories such as perhaps the gloves did belong to Lindbergh, but later later in is career or that Mr. Bescey’s letter was originally attached to another pair of gloves. We’ll follow up with with Kelly Mesch, the contributor, to see if she has any more details about the story that could help.
Until then, we hope you can suggest additional theories or questions you’d like to address that might help us clear up this new mystery. It might be impossible to know for sure, but there may be a few more lines of investigation we can persue before we close the book on this one. You never know what we’ll turn up.
Task One: Post your ideas on how we can find out more about why Frank Bescey’s story doesn’t match up with the gloves he says he found. What questions would you still like to have answered?
Did these aviator gloves belong to Charles Lindbergh from his day flying a mail route in the mid 1920s?
Week 1: Are These Charles Lindbergh's Gloves?
Week 2: The Man, The Gloves, The Airfield
Week 3: Our Online Team Researches the Details
Week 4: New Doubts About the Gloves
View Full History »
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Perhaps the PBS team could also ask Kelly Mesch if she has any information
about Ray"Fats" Wright,the man who was with Frank Becsey when the gloves
were found. Kelly Mesch might also be asked if she knew or knows any of
Frank Bescey's family/relatives and anything they might know about Mr Becsey's
story.
There is an interesting and curious 1930 census report for a Ray Wright
1930 Illinois Peoria County Ward 4 of Peoria City District 52 Sheet 9A Line 15
Ray Wright age 28 born Illinois occupation machinist in tractor factory
boarding at 904 Seventh St There is a 19 year old Evelyn Fries living in
the same house she is a seamstress in a glove factory.
I have no way of knowing if this is the Raymond "Fats" Wright Mr Becsey
refers to,I just found it curious to find a glove factory seamstress in the same
house.
Mr Becsey lived to be 102 years old,he wrote his statement in 1999 at roughly
94 years of age, perhaps the story of the gloves is simply several memories
and half remembered anecdotes that got jumbled up over time.
According to ancestry.com US WWII Army Enlistments 1938-1946
Frank Becsey of Peoria Illinois enlisted 10/February 1943
Branch-Branch Immaterial Warrant Officers USA
Thanks for looking up Frank Becsey's enlistment, Craig. Obviously this is just my speculation at this point, but that rank and branch of service offer the possibility that Becsey himself may have been a pilot during WWII (much source material on the WWII-era enlisted pilots program at http://afehri.maxwell.af.mil/Pages/Research.htm ; note that the legislation replacing flying sergeants with warrant officers was passed in July, 1942, prior to Becsey's induction).
Pilot or not, his WWII Army service is another link in the circumstantial chain concerning the true source of the subject gloves.
Alan, I too wonder if Mr Becsey may have been a pilot or crewman while
in the military. I checked the NARA enlistments website for more information
as to Becsey's branch of service but it was probably the source for
the information I found at ancestry.com.as it was virtually the same
data.
In the 1930 census and in Mr. Becsey's enlistment record his civilian
occupation was clerk/shoe store and shoe salesman so I also wondered
if he might have been involved in whatever department that issued clothing,
boots,gear etc.
I am not much of a military buff, the general definition of warrant officer
found in the dictionary and information from online websites about the
role of warrant officers in the military branches doesn't really clarify
to me what a warrant officer did then or does now. One site indicated that
warrant officers were chosen/designated by virtue of previous special
training or talents so I don't know if being a shoe salesman would qualify
as special training.
From the research done by so many here at this site dating the gloves,
and establishing Mr Bescey's service in the military during WWII it may
well be that the gloves we researched were his.
Mr. Bescey would have been approximately 38 years old in 1943. I wonder why he would enlist at that age unless it was a re-enlistment. If it wasn't, it might indicate we have the wrong Frank Bescey.
If this is a duplication, I apologize for my computer!
The WWII enlistment records at ancestry.com give the birth year of
Frank J Becsey of Peoria Illinois as 1905 in Iowa,there is no indication
in that database of re-enlistment. WWII draft registration included the
ages 18-45.
Frank Becsey's letter about the gloves/Lindbergh states he
was 20 years of age in 1925,that would make his birthdate circa
1905. The 1920 and 1930 census reports for the Frank Becsey
in Peoria Illinois indicate that he was born in circa 1905 in Iowa.
The 1910 Kansas census and 1915 Kansas census give a birth
year circa 1905 in Iowa for Frank Becsey. The 1910/1915/1920/1930
census reports for Frank Becsey give his parents names as
Louis and Mary Becsey,Frank has a brother Alexander as well.
Louis and Alexander Becsey registered for the WW1 draft in Peoria,
Louis Becsey was 44 years of age,the 3rd registration for the draft
(Sept 1918)included the ages 18-45. Both Louis and Alexander
Becsey were living on Nebraska St. in Peoria Illinois at the time they
registered for the draft in 1918.
In the 1926 Peoria Illinois city directory Frank Becsey is living
with Louis and Mary Becsey on Nebraska Street.
The Social Security Death Index lists a Frank J Becsey of Peoria
birthdate 13 July 1905 died January 19 2007.
Lou is correct that we need to keep in mind that there may have been
more than one Frank Becsey. I have found only one(see above) but
am still looking for another candidate.
I have written the Peoria Public Library reference desk to conduct
an obituary search using the Frank Becsey data at the Social Security
Death Index. As Mr Becsey lived to the century mark and more I also
asked for a lookup in/around July 13 2005 to see if the Peoria press
may have run a feature article about Mr Becsey. Hopefully one or both
articles will be found and give us some more Frank Becsey information
to research.
From the Peoria Journal Star published Jan.24 2007
Frank J Becsey died at age 101 January 19th 2007
Born to Louis/Mary Becsey July 13 1905 in Elgin Iowa
Married Antoinette Meyers July 26 1944 in Peoria
She died Jan 24 1982 (See Antoinett(sic) Bescey at SS Death Index
WWII Enlistment Records list Frank J Bescey-single/no dependents
in 1943. Other information at the enlistment records-bandsman/plays
the oboe/ parts clerk/automobile
Frank's sister is living in Peoria. He also has a few grandkids in Peoria as well. I refrain from publishing their names. If anyone wants to explore that route, refer to his obit in The Peoria Journal Star Jan 24, 2007 as seen on the America's GenelogyBank which can be accessed at most public libraries.
The Peoria Public Library was unable to find any other information
about Frank Becsey i.e. one hundredth birthday articles but the
library did send me an obituary Besides the information I posted earlier,
birthdate/birth location death date age wife and parents names, the
obit has this additional information: )I too leave out the names of survivors
for privacy reasons.)
Frank served in the Army during WWII
Frank worked in shoe sales for many years,
at Block and Kuhl,Carson Pine Scott and Bergners
stores.
Many thanks to the reference librarian at the Peoria Public Library
for providing the Frank Becsey obit.
Any way of telling whether the Purchase Order number on the label in the gloves is a military P.O. number (likely) or a Hansen Glove Co. P.O.(probably less likely)? If it is a government P.O. number, maybe (just maybe) a record of it could be found in the massive mother lode that is the National Archives. . . ? Perhaps such a P.O. would disclose where this batch of mittens was sent. I don't live far from the Archives center in MD. Will check.
Just some random thoughs I had while reading the other posts.
Is it know where Frank Becsey was stationed during his WWII service?
Perhaps Frank and Charles crossed pathes during the war.
While Lindberg was not in the military, he did act as an advisor to the Army Air Corp in the Pacific. He taught P-38 Lightning pilots how to increase their aircraft's range with fuel managment techniques he had mastered on his flight across the atlantic. He also flew with them and is even rumored to have shot down a Japanese plane. Not something civilians were allowed to do.
Lindberg was likely used by the military to boost morale. He would have travelled to numerous bases and airfields across the country or even overseas. He may have even worn a pair of government issued mittens on these trips. There may be a record of Lindberg's wartime travels. If Lindberg visited the base at which Frank was stationed a meeting could have occured. Given both men's connection to Peoria, they did have something to talk about. Perhaps the gloves changed hands at that time.
(If I were in Frank's position, I'd try to meet Lindberg if he came to my base.)
As for Frank, at 38 he would have been rather old for a combat posting. Given his civilian occupation, and his enlisted records, it sounds like he was in 'supply'. It would not have been uncommon for older men to enlist and be assigned 'desk jobs', freeing up younger men for combat. Many women also enlisted and were used in the same manner.
His position and rank could have given Frank access to such Military Issue Mittens, so he may have acquired them from some government depot and not Mr. Lindberg. (I hope not, but its a possibility)
I hope I didn't muddy the waters too much, but those WWII issued mittens seem to rule out the original story. I hope that Frank did get the Mittens from Charles Lindberg, but just not at the time and place his memory told him.
Good Luck
Like they say "Its not over until the Old Retired Fatman Sings"! I recieved an email from the Historical society today with some information on the Building of the Clubhouse at the Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria. This was one of two issues I just couldn't put to rest and want to thank the Peoria Historical Society for getting back with me. I am still waiting on some info from them concerning the Airport.
RE: Mt. Hawley Country Club:
excerpted from notes on Peoria History from Peoria Newspapers compiled by Paul H. Stringham
5/13/24 Ground is to be broken May 30 for the Mt. Hawley Country Club House. It
Is to be finished by Sept. 30. B. L. Hulsebus is the architect. (Peoria Star,
page 20 – architect’s drawing)
12/28/24 The Mt. Hawley Country Club formally opened its new club house yesterday.
8/22/49 The Mt. Hawley Country Clubhouse was totally destroyed by fire yesterday morning. Loss about $200,000. Built in 1923 [sic].
http://www.peoriahistoricalsociety.org/
I just wanted to add this information for the location of the airfield used intially for air mail service in Peoria, Illinois by Charles Lindburg. I received this within the past week and hope this helps others who might have had that empty feeling about the known location of the airfield. It is an article written by Marilyn Leyland of the Peoria Historical Society prior to a visit by Lindburg's Grandson to Peoria for a Historical Society event in 2003. I again want to thank the Peoria Historical Society for their great and continued effort to answer my inquiries.
http://www.peoriamagazines.com/aa/2003/apr/art-history
According to newspaper article "Decatur Review"; 1926-04-11; pg 1 (Decatur Ill) The mail route from St. Louis to Chicago may not have existed until 1926. Article entitled "Two Planes Test New Mail Route" Fly from St. Louis to Chicago, via. Springfield. Chicago. April 10 - two air mail-planes made a test flight today over a route from St. Louis to Chicago, making the voyage, with stops at Springfield and Peoria, Illinois, in less than five hours. The planes, both De Havilands, left Lambers-St. Louis Field at 12 and 12:30 P.M. stopped at Springfield to pick up mail and V.Y. Dallman, managing editor of the Illinois State Register, left there at 1:50 p.m., made another stop at Peoria, and landed at the Maywood air mail station at Checkerboard Field here at 4:45 p.m. Called Success. Phillip R. Love and Charles A. Lindbergh piloted the planes over the route. Both are the property of the Robertson Aircraft corporation, which will operate the first regular air mail service from St. Louis to Chicago. The sponsors of the flight declared it a complete success.
The date may have been 1926. The gloves could have been provided by the Robertson Aircraft Corp. or one of the sponsors. They may have been a test product. What do we know about Robertson Aircraft Corp. and the sponsors for this test flight?
Frank Bescey's story may still be true. I don’t think we have enough evidence to support the gloves manufactured date as being the 1940s. I think we should keep digging…
I found the term "Navy Air Force" used in several newspapers around this time period. I also searched the national archives and found the following concerning the Army Air Force.
“Administrative History
The Army Air Forces (AAF) originated August 1, 1907, as the Aeronautical Division in the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. After various reorganizations and name changes, the Army Air Forces was established on March 9, 1942, under the Secretary of War and the War Department General Staff. It served as the primary land-based air arm of the American armed forces until it was detached from the Army and became the U.S. Air Force in 1947.
Until the onset of World War II, most field installations of the Army Air Forces and its predecessors, such as airfields, schools, and administrative agencies, were located within the borders of the United States and its territories.”
Another possible place to look for contracting information may be in the Bureau of Navigation records or records of the Bureau of Aeronautics.
According to information found at the national archives.
“72.2 Records of Predecessors
1911-30
History: General supervision of naval aeronautics was first vested in Bureau of Navigation, March 13, 1911. Subsequently assigned to Office of Naval Aeronautics, established July 1, 1914, in Division of Operations (DO). DO redesignated Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OCNO) pursuant to the Navy Appropriation Act (38 Stat. 929), March 3, 1915. Under OCNO, Office of Naval Aeronautics became Office of Naval Aviation, 1917; Aviation Division, 1918; and Aviation Section, 1919.
Logistical responsibilities for air frames assigned to Bureau of Construction and Repair; for power plants to Bureau of Steam Engineering (Bureau of Engineering after 1920); for instruments and flight clothing to Bureau of Navigation; and for aviation ordnance to Bureau of Ordnance, by General Order 41, Department of the Navy, June 13, 1913. Aircraft Division established in Bureau of Construction and Repair, July 1916, and Aeronautics Division in the Bureau of Steam Engineering, July 1, 1917.
Logistical functions vested in bureaus were consolidated with oversight functions of Aviation Section, OCNO, to create Bureau of Aeronautics, 1921. see 72.1.”
Also, the gloves issued under specification no. 94-3070 and manufactured by Hansen Mfg. in 1944 had an index finger, a possible modification of an earlier version.
Which brings us back to the question, could pilots have operated the plane with mittens?
The www.postalmuseum.si.edu site posts the following letter. The last sentence describes gloves as being mittens.
“Airmail pilot Dean Smith is best known for a telegram he forwarded to Air Mail Service officials after a forced landing on May 15, 1923. "Dead sticked. Flying low. Only place to land on cow. Killed cow. Wrecked airplane. Scared me."
Smith had been forced to land halfway between Millersburg and Guernsey, Iowa because of a stripped crankshaft. The cow, belonging to Mr. H.A. Sheda of Victor, Iowa, was appraised at $75, which was paid to the owner in full by the department.
Dean Smith was born on September 27, 1899 in Cove, Oregon. He had 900 hours of flying time under his belt when he joined the Air Mail Service in 1920. The early airmail pilots could be showoffs, drinkers, smokers, jokesters and juvenile. A dispute between Smith and another pilot made it all the way up to D. B. Colyer, Superintendent of the Central Division. After being transferred out of one division, Smith apparently received gloves that belonged to fellow pilot.
Johnson wrote to Colyer on November 27, 1924, addressing him as "My dear ‘D.B.'"
"Referring to correspondence had in regard to my gloves, I cannot see why Dean Smith takes that attitude, -- there is absolutely no fair reason for it. These gloves belong to me personally, and are quite valuable, and I need them urgently. They were taken from my locker while I was on leave, without my permission, by clerk at this office, on whom the result of some of Smith's carelessness fell, -- that of gathering up his belongings after he had left this station. If he would pay more attention to keeping his equipment together this sort of thing would not happen.
I have nothing to do with his gloves, or whatever it is he has lost, nor have I any idea where they are or what has become of them. Therefore, I make the request that my gloves be sent me without further useless and ridiculous correspondence.
I would thank you to convey the above to Pilot Dean Smith, and would appreciate whatever you do to expedite return of the cause of all this baby-like controversy."
On December 11, 1924, Colyer wrote to Smith, asking him to give the gloves back. "My dear Dean," his letter began, "Pilot Johnson advises that you have in your possession a pair of gloves belonging to him. If such is the case I suggest that you return them to him. You do not care to retain in your possession the property of another when the second party desires its return do you.
"As near as I can learn Pilot Johnson is in no [way] responsible for the loss of your mittens. I think the right thing to do is to return his property and request the Manager at Hazelhurst to forward yours. If I can be of any assistance in this matter please advise."
Also, here is a picture from that same site, with a pilot wearing the type of mittens in our case. The pilot isn’t identified, but could this be Lindbergh a/k/a Lucky Lindy?