Yale Veterans Association to present 'The Millionaires' Unit' screening and talk

The Yale Veterans Association is presenting “The First Yale Unit and the Birth of U.S. Naval Aviation,” a screening of the film inspired by the book “The Millionaires’ Unit” by Marc Wortman followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers, the author and a Yale Navy veteran.
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Original Yale Unit goup of 1916 pictured at Palm Beach. Top row left to right, John Vorys, Di Gates, Albert Ditman, Alphy Ames, Instructor David McCullogh, Trubee Davison, Bob Lovett, Erl Gould. Bottom row, left to right; Wells-Laud Brown, Ella, Harry Davison.

In 1916, a group of Yale students formed a privately funded air militia that became the founding squadron of the U.S. Naval Air Reserve, and its members were among the first to ship overseas and fight for their country in World War I.

To call attention to this key chapter in the nation’s history, the Yale Veterans Association is presenting a program titled “The First Yale Unit and the Birth of U.S. Naval Aviation,” which will feature a screening of the film inspired by the book “The Millionaires’ Unit” by Marc Wortman.  The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers, the author and a Yale Navy veteran.

The event — to be held on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11 —commemorates the 100th anniversary of U.S. Naval Aviation and the return of Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and Air Force ROTC at Yale. It will take place 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St., and is free and open to the public.

While some of the members of “The Millionaires’ Unit” came from privileged backgrounds, some did not. All of them, however, were united in their conviction to do something for their country. The film follows the exploits and sacrifices of the individual members in the context of the development of U.S. naval aviation, almost taking the audience up with the planes they flew.

“At the start of WWI, the airplane was only 10 years old,” write the filmmakers. ”These young aviators took off and landed on water or in fields with engines that nearly vibrated their planes apart, a leak from which covered them in castor oil in their freezing open-air cockpits (hence the need for goggles and a scarf to wipe them). Their engines often stalled or quit over open water or inhospitable land — all of this without a parachute.”

The initiative and zeal shown by the First Yale Unit insured they played a large part in securing America on the world stage in the early 20th century, note the filmmakers, adding, “The triumphs and tragedies of these young aviators during World War I forever altered, not only the course of their lives, but the future of American aviation, warfare, and foreign policy in the 20th century.”

“The First Yale Unit and the Birth of U.S. Naval Aviation” is the first public program hosted by the Yale Veterans Association, a non-partisan, non-political organization comprised of members of the Yale community (alumni, students, faculty and staff) who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or its allies and their supporters. The association’s mission is to leverage the strengths, talents and dedication of its members and friends to uplift and support fellow veterans, and to cultivate leaders for military and public service. Its activities include aiding veterans in the community, supporting Yale’s ROTC programs, organizing military-related events, researching and publicizing Yale’s military accomplishments, and promoting camaraderie among its members.

Also on Nov. 11, Yale will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 12:15 p.m. on Beinecke Plaza. The ceremony will include remarks from Yale faculty and students who have served in the armed forces and the traditional laying of a wreath in front of the alumni war memorial.

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