Otis Air Field was named for 2nd Lieutenant Frank Jessie Otis, Jr. who was a flight surgeon with the 101st Observation Squadron of the Massachusetts National Guard. To see a photo of him click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102418618/frank-jesse-otis
On January 11, 1937, Lt. Otis and an observer, Sgt. John Gibbons, were flying in a National Guard, Douglas O-46 observation plane, from Boston to Moline, Illinois, when the plane crashed Hennepin, Illinois. Both men were killed. The cause of the crash is unknown.
Although Lt. Otis perished in 1937, Otis Air Field wasn’t officially named for him until December 14, 1940. It later became known as Otis Air Force Base.
Falmouth Enterprise, (Ma.)
December 20, 1940
The forgotten man in this situation is the observer who was flying with Lt. Otis on his cross-country flight. His name is Sergeant John F. Gibbons, (26), of Natick, Massachusetts. To see a photo of him click on the link below. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131576173/john-f-gibbons
The article below appeared in The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.) on January 12, 1937.
The article below appeared in The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), on January 12, 1937.
