On the University of Virginia campus, one can find a winged, twelve-foot-tall bronze statue titled
The Aviator. Curiously,
The Aviator is a memorial to UVA dropout, James Rogers McConnell. McConnell was a fighter pilot in the famous squadron of American volunteers who fought for the French prior to US entry into World War I, the Lafayette Escadrille. Prior to joining the escadrille, McConnell served in France as an ambulance driver. He documented the front, both on the ground and in the air in
Flying for France, a bestselling book published just before his death. A modest character, Jim included very little information about himself in his book. Even while at the front, McConnell remained in regular correspondence with his family, friends, and girlfriends. A large volume of these original letters are preserved today. Author Steven T. Tom has sifted through a mountain of primary source material to go beyond
Flying for France and tell the full story of the brief but famous life of Jim McConnell.
This book title, The Aviator (A Biography of James R. McConnell, Lafayette Escadrille Fighter Pilot), ISBN: 9780764370304, by Steven T. Tom, published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (November 28, 2025) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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