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Frank Wilbur "Spig" Wead (24 October 1895 – 15 November 1947) was a U.S. Navy aviator who helped promote United States Naval aviation from its inception through World War II. Commander Wead was a recognized authority on early aviation. Following a crippling spinal injury in 1926, Wead was placed on the retired list. In the 1930s, he became a screenwriter, becoming involved in more than 30 movies. He also published several books, short stories and magazine articles. During World War II, he returned to active duty. He initially worked in a planning role, but later undertook sea duty in the Pacific, where he saw action against the Japanese in 1943–44 before being placed on the retired list in mid-1945.
The Wead family had a strong background of service to the American nation. The Weads of Massachusetts were represented in one of the Committees of Safety established during the American Revolutionary War, and also as patriots in the Colonial Wars, forming part of the General Society of Colonial Wars during 1607–1763. The Connecticut Weads were also patriots of the American Revolutionary War. The Wead families were prominent in Illinois and Vermont in several fields during the 19th and 20th centuries: politics, law, education and as supporters of the Union during the American Civil War, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2. p. 610 (New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press, 1953) during which one branch of the Wead lineage became actively involved with the United States Sanitary Commission.
Following graduation from the Naval Academy and leave, Wead reported to his first sea-duty assignment, , on 28 June 1916. He was a line officer with a date of rank as an ensign of 3 June 1916 and a precedence of 17 within his group of "running mates."
Wead was next assigned to on a cruise from San Francisco, departing 25 April 1917. The ship reached Rio de Janeiro where, with several other officers, he departed Pittsburgh on 21 September. New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957 (Oct. 16, 1917) S.S. Zeelandia, p. 46 of 64, Line No. 19. Wead was granted a temporary promotion to Lieutenant on 15 October 1917. He was booked for passage to the Port of New York aboard , which departed Rio de Janeiro on 25 September and arrived in New York on 17 October. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897–1957 (National Archives Microfilm Publication, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, National Archives, Washington DC; T715_2548; Year: 1917; lines 12, 19; sheet 83A). Wead reported to the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, for sea duty orders.
Wead reported aboard to assist in preparing the vessel for war. USS Shawmut departed New York Harbor in June 1918, and for the remaining months of the war operated in the area of the North Sea Mine Barrage. Following the armistice with Germany, Wead returned stateside aboard Shawmut, arriving at the Hampton Roads Naval Operations Base (NOB), Norfolk, Virginia, on 27 December 1918. The Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Illinois), Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1918, p. 1, column 1.
In February 1919, a kite-balloon division of six balloons was assigned to Shawmut and other ships. The ships participated in fleet exercises and, after seven weeks, returned to the United States after demonstrating the capability to operate without land-based support. With the knowledge that the Naval Aviation Division was seeking naval officers with a strong aptitude in naval engineering, having a desire to accept projects with a certain amount of risk, and with the combat-proven ability to lead naval personnel by example, Lieutenant Wead began the process for obtaining endorsements to his application to be nominated for flight training."United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995" (PDF). p. 38. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
Wead began to promote Naval Aviation after World War I through air racing, speed competitions and several naval aviation articles he submitted for publishing in the United States Naval Institute Proceedings magazine. This competition, mainly against the United States Army Air Service (and its leading racer, Jimmy Doolittle), helped push U.S. military aviation forward. These competitions would give naval aviation a much-needed spotlight in the public eye. The public attention that it generated helped push Congress to fund the advancement of military aviation. After World War I he was a test pilot for the Navy.Margaret Herrick Library, 333 S La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Collection title: Frank "Spig" Wead papers (bulk 1922-1928).
Many changes were occurring within the naval aviation community. In the summer of 1921, Lieutenant Wead took part in the round-trip, long distance flight operation involving twelve F-5-L flying boats departing from NAS North Island to the Coco Solo Canal Zone and back. Additionally, Wead took part in tests involving dummy torpedoes dropped from F-5-L aircraft. Also, in accordance with an Act of Congress, United States Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby issued orders for the establishment of a Bureau of Aeronautics to begin operations, 1 September 1921, with newly promoted Rear Admiral William A. Moffett in charge. It was President Warren G. Harding who selected then Captain Moffett for nomination as the new Chief, Bureau of Aeronautics. The Grand Island Herald (Grand Island, Nebraska) Sep. 1, 1921. Vol. 42, New Volume 4, p. 1, column 5, Rear Admiral Moffett. This Bureau was authorized by the naval appropriation bill of 12 July 1921. Prior to its creation, the Bureau of Aeronautics was originally identified as the office of Naval Aviation. It was on Wednesday, 02 March 1921, when Captain Moffett relieved Captain Thomas Tingey Craven to become the Director of Naval Aviation.
The experience gained aboard USS Aroostook involving F-5-L flying boats was instrumental in Wead being selected as commanding officer of Combat Squadron No. 3 (re-designated, Fighting Plane Squadron 3, on 17 June 1922), U.S. Pacific Fleet; he served in this capacity for over a year until the spring of 1923.
In the spring of 1923, Wead was detached from the aircraft squadron battle fleet and reported to NAS Anacostia, Washington D.C., for assignment to the Flight Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics. The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), Friday, 30 March 1923 (page 32, column 3: Changes in Stations of Army and Navy Officers of Interest to Capital. Navy). Lieutenant Wead worked closely with the Philadelphia Naval Aircraft Factory and three contractors (Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, Wright Aeronautical, Glenn L. Martin Company) in the development of seaplane airframes and new engines, and testing the seaplanes in duration flights above the Potomac River. Based upon his experience and technical expertise, Wead submitted several articles for publication that pertained to known issues concerning aircraft design, power plant problems, and future naval aviation.Wead, Frank W. (LT, USN). "Naval Aviation Today". U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 50, No. 4 (April 1924): 561–74. Margaret Herrick Library, 333 S La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Collection title: Frank "Spig" Wead papers (bulk 1929-1947).
During the period 22–23 June 1924 just off-shore of NAS Anacostia, Wead and Lieutenant John Dale Price, using a Curtiss CS-2 with a Wright T-3 Tornado engine, set new Class C seaplane records for distance (963.123 miles), duration (13 hours 23 minutes 15 seconds), and three speed records (73.41 mph for 500 kilometers, 74.27 mph for 1000 km, and 74.17 mph for 1500 km). Lieutenants Wead and Price set a newer record 11–12 July 1924, with new Class C seaplane records for distance (994.19 miles) and duration (14 hours 53 min 44 sec) using a CS-2 with a Wright Tornado engine.. Margaret Herrick Library, 333 S La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Collection title: Frank "Spig" Wead papers (bulk 1929-1947).
In early April 1926, Wead received a naval message at his headquarters, NAS North Island, that he was selected for promotion to lieutenant commander; promoted ahead of his fellow naval aviators Class of 1916; and, one of the Navy's youngest squadron commanders.
In his book " All the Factors of Victory: Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves and The Origins of Carrier Airpower" (May 2003), Thomas Wildenberg provided an insight into the naval aviation tactical issues with which Reeves was involved and the part Wead played as commanding officer of VF-2 fighter squadron (comprising Vought VE-7SF "Bluebird", Boeing Model 15 naval variant FB-5, Curtiss Model 34D F6C-2 "Hawk"). Wead was preparing his squadron for the June 1926 tactical exercises aboard up to his accident on 14 April 1926. Wildenberg identified Wead's replacement as Lieutenant Commander Frank Dechant Wagner, USN. Assigned to Commander, Air Squadrons, Battle Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Wagner would further improve upon the training tactics devised by Wead, including developing new dive-bombing techniques with the Battle Fleet's Curtiss F6C Hawks and FB-5s.Margaret Herrick Library, 333 S La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Collection title: Frank "Spig" Wead papers (bulk 1922-1928). All the Factors of Victory: Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves and the Origins of Carrier Airpower (May 2003, Thomas Wildenberg). Washington, D.C.: Brassey's. ISBN 1574883755.
According to an article written by a San Diego Union staff writer:
On 16 July 1926, while convalescing in the hospital, Wead was promoted to lieutenant commander. At the encouragement of his fellow naval officers, he put his writing skills to work and started sending manuscripts to book and magazine companies. During spring 1927, in the hope that his recovery was imminent and with the strong recommendation from Commander Marc Mitscher, Rear Admiral Moffett submitted Wead's name to Rear Admiral Richard H. Leigh, Commander, Bureau of Naval Personnel, recommending Wead to be the new squadron commander of VF-6B (previously, VF-2) with duty aboard USS Langley. However, Wead was placed on the retired list, 28 May 1928, with a residence in the City of Los Angeles, California. He began his second career, screenplay writing, which subsequently occupied him throughout the 1930s and early 1940s.Margaret Herrick Library, 333 S La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Collection title: Frank "Spig" Wead papers (bulk 1929-1947).
It was a chance to serve his country, again. Wead flew from California and arrived at Naval Air Station Quonset Point where he worked as special aide to Captain Ralph Davison. Also, at NAS Quonset Point was Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin and his naval aide Captain John Madison "Johnny" Hoskins, USN. All these naval aviators communicated closely together in working out the details for the manning and training of carrier air groups for the newly commissioned aircraft carriers. With the approval from Ralph Davison, Wead was promoted to the temporary rank of commander in the US Naval Reserve, on 28 September 1942.
The story of Wead's sea-duty during World War II began in the air, flying from Port of San Francisco and landing at Honolulu Harbor aboard NC18605 Boeing 314 Clipper Dixie Clipper,Pan American Airways, Inc., Transpacific Division. Passenger List. p. 247. PT 52-B.43–1100. Aircraft Identification No. NC18605. Station of Embarkation San Francisco. Date of Embarkation 21 November 1943. No. 10: Frank Wead, Cmdr, USN. arriving at Oahu Island on 21 November 1943. From the Port of Honolulu Wead reported to Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet Headquarters as head of the Plans Division for Commander, Air Force, Pacific Fleet, (now) Vice Admiral John Henry Towers. This shore-duty assignment was to await the return of . On the afternoon of 9 December 1943, Wead reported aboard Yorktown where he met with his old Naval Academy buddy Captain Joseph J. Clark, USN, skipper of Yorktown. Representing the Plans Division, Wead's orders aboard Yorktown were to monitor and report on carrier aviation combat operations, most especially obtaining first-hand knowledge in the ability of consolidated CVs in a task force to readily replace their lost/damaged aircraft with replacements from close-by CVLs.
Having completed an earlier successful operation, Yorktown (assigned to Task Group 58.1, commanded by Rear Admiral John W. Reeves, Jr., USN) departed Pearl Harbor with Wead aboard on 16 January 1944. Wead took part in the attack on Kwajalein Atoll during Operation Flintlock, an operation that involved four carrier groups. USS Yorktown then steamed to the newly established Pacific Fleet anchorage at Majuro Atoll, arriving about 4 February 1944. It was during this short eight-day anchorage period amongst the Pacific Fleet that Wead was transferred from Yorktown to a destroyer, and then to .U.S.S. Essex (CV-9) List of Nonenlisted Passengers of U.S.S. ESSEX, Date: 28 February 1944. List no. 14, (column 1) Names: Long, Dwight S.; (column 2) Rank, Title, etc.: Lieut. A-V(S) USNR. List no. 27 (column 1) Names: Wead, Frank W.; (column 2) Rank, Title, etc.: Comdr. (Retired) USN. The commanding officer of Essex was Captain Ralph A. Ofstie, USN. While aboard Essex, Wead saw action against Truk Island (17–18 February), now called Chuuk Lagoon, and against Saipan, Tinian, and Guam (23 February).
After these operations, Essex received orders for overhaul and Wead remained aboard Essex as it steamed to San Francisco Bay. The carrier arrived at Naval Air Station Alameda on or about 16 April 1944 for a much-needed overhaul. It was at NAS Alameda, aboard Essex (pier-side), that Wead was given an official send-off from active duty just prior to his retirement. Wead was relieved of active duty on 21 July 1944, and was processed through the Personnel Department at NAS Alameda receiving his discharge papers and a train ticket for Los Angeles, California. Wead was placed on the retired list on 11 May 1945 with the rank of commander.
: accessed 27 August 2015), Frank Wilber Wead, 15 November 1947; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
Wead was buried in the family plot at Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum (plot: Bluff Division, Section 4, Lot 00140), Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois.
In 1957, John Wayne portrayed Wead in the John Ford directed film The Wings of Eagles.
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The injury to his neck left Wead with an ability to endure hours of pain sitting upright in a chair typing away on manuscripts for possible publication. Known to outsiders as being " belligerent, brave, eccentric visionary; a man of fanatical dedication...doomed to be alone", his love for his daughters and their well-being could not be matched.Dan Ford. Pappy: The Life of John Ford (Da Capo Press: 1998). 324 pp. He sent his daughter Dorothea to attend the prestigious Smith College; she graduated with the Class of 1939. Thus, this Naval Academy grad and record-breaking naval pilot was able to succeed as a screenplay writer and to earn a comfortable income to support his daughters in their life-style and college education.
Wead's second unexpected career became far more important than his work as a pilot. His talent for writing grew during the years as a naval officer involved with the daily administrative papers, submitting detailed reports, completing flight schedules. One of his interests was reading stories and poetry written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Wead would later use the "Requiem" inscribed on Stevenson's tomb as script material for several screenplays, such as They Were Expendable, and screenplay writers Frank Fenton and William Wister Haines used the poem in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film The Wings of Eagles.
The popularity of his pulp and magazine stories led Wead to Hollywood and the eventual friendship and collaboration with director John Ford.Correspondence with motion picture director John Ford. Lilly Library: Indiana University Bloomington. Ford, J. mss., 1906-1976. Consists of the correspondence, papers, and memorabilia of motion picture director John Ford, 1895-1973.
| Nominated for Academy Award for writing (screenplay) with two others |
| Nominated for Academy Award for writing (original story) |
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