Centennial of Marine Corps Aviation

Alfred A. Cunningham
The Marine Corps'
First Aviator

Marine Aviators: A Century of Service

More than one hundred years ago, Orville and Wilbur Wright took turns guiding their wood and fabric Flyer over the dunes of Kitty Hawk, N.C. Just over five years later, the Navy had made the decision to acquire flying machines, and by 1912 had four aviators on its rolls.

From the biplanes of the First World War through supersonic jets and tiltrotor aircraft, Marine aviatiors and their fantastic flying machines have provided power from the skies for America's expeditionary force in readiness.