The Millionaires' Unit: The Aristocratic Flyboys who Fought the Great War and Invented American Air Power

by Marc Wortman

The Millionaires' Unit is the story of a gilded generation of young men from the zenith of a Rockefeller, the son of the head of the Union Pacific Railroad, several who counted friends and relatives among presidents and statesmen of the day. They had it all and, remarkably by modern standards, they were prepared to risk it all to fight a distant war in France. Driven by the belief that their membership in the American elite required certain sacrifice, schooled in heroism and the nature of leadership, they determined to be first into the conflict, leading the way ahead of America's declaration that it would join the war. At the heart of the group was the Yale flying club, six of whom are the heroes of this book. They would share rivalries over girlfriends, jealousies over membership in Skull and Bones, and fierce ambition to be the most daring young man over the battlefields of France, where the casualties among flyers were chillingly high. One of the six would go on to become the principal architect of the American Air Force's first strategic bomber force. Others would bring home decorations and tales of high life experiences in Paris. Some would not return, having made the greatest sacrifice of all in perhaps the last noble war. For readers of Flyboys , The Greatest Generation , or Flags Of Our Fathers , this patriotic, romantic, absorbing book is narrative military history of the best kind.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Aviation, Military History, World War I, Audiobook, War

281 pages, Hardcover

Published May 8, 2006

About the author

Marc Wortman is an award-winning freelance journalist and independent scholar. His articles and essays on history, science and architecture have appeared in many national magazines. He is the author of The Millionaires’ Unit: The Aristocratic Flyboys Who Fought the Great War and Invented American Air Power, which is in development as a feature motion picture.

Reviews

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows the ways in which the culture of the elites has changed from a notion of obligation and sacrifice, but it does so while showing the kids involved as real, maturing humans.

[Kamrud Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into a time when wealth and power were concentrated in an exclusive semi-aristocratic class but were also seen as carrying an innate responsibility to contribute something back to your country. The contributions of rich young men who not only risked their own lives but used their advantages to become the leaders of their country in peace and war while reveling in the youthful energies of the old school Ivy League college man.

[Brady McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well-focused, the stories are obviously incredibly interesting and he does a great job of keeping all of the folks he’s talking about relevant so that you never forget who anyone is.

Also really enjoy the sections throughout where he basically goes “yeah, remember when the elites actually felt a duty to their country? That was cool” and it’s only gotten worse since publication 🙃

[Richard Dann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. If you endeavor to learn about early US Naval Aviation.

Its hard to imagine a group of well-to-do Yale students wanting to be prepared to defend their country. I can't see that happening today. But this is in fact what happened. And when they first approached the Navy regarding joining the naval air service, they were turned down. Did that stop them? NO! The group, with the help of wealthy parents bought several airplanes on which to train.

When finally accepted as part of the actual naval air arm, these Yale students made up a lion's share of all Naval Aviators in uniform at the time of their commissioning, and that was in 1916, five years after the US Navy acquired its first aircraft and aviators.

Following their service, many went on to posts of great importance within the government and corporations with which they associated. Bob Lovett, for instance, went on to become Secretary of Defense.

I highly recommend this book. I learned much about early Naval Aviation and even more about Yale University.

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first reading disappointment of the year, this book takes an exciting, dramatic subject and makes it dull. This reverse alchemy concerns itself with the Yale Flying Club from the 1910s. A collection of aristocratic early aviators grew out of the first years of World War I. Sharing dreams of flying and military heroism, these young Yalies shared Theodore Roosevelt's view that the U.S. must enter the conflict on the side of the Allies against Germany. Unable to gain government backing, they create their own flying school in preparation for American entry. Once that event occurs, these aviators finally experience the first air war. An exciting historical adventure that has been told before and deserves to be told again.

Excerpt that tale is not told again, at least not in the epic fashion it deserves. For some reason Wortman finds the traditions of pre-World War I Yale highly fascinating. I found them boring, especially as it takes him over 80 pages to get to American entry in the war. In excruciating detail he discusses the school, the dances and the ridiculous clubs. I have no gripes about Yale but I found this part of the book dull and anything but enlightening. Once the war starts so does the story but any writer will tell you that a book must start before page 85. This imbalance mars what should have been an exciting read. Three and a half stars, mostly for the sections about the war.

[Audrey Knutson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book about 10years ago and have been sitting on it. Once I started, I wasn't able to put it down. I was initially put off by the idea of a bunch of white, male, privileged Elis funding their way into an expensive service and avoiding trench warfare. I shifted my viewpoint somewhat during the book because all these boys had the connections to get cushy desk jobs or avoid war altogether but instead took another path and met the aerial needs of an emerging superpower. One doesn't see that nowadays and I really respect them for it.

It's crazy to realize that in 100years we've gone from biplanes made of balsa wood and canvas to F-22s. I just wish society has shifted so we can ask more of young men than to risk their lives and die.

[Mark Holencik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started with giving background that was boring. I almost stop reading the book. Then it started to tell the story of Yale students that started the Navy Air Force. Glad I kept reading.

Times have changed. Then you left college to fight in our country's wars. You were instilled to do service for your country and society as a whole. Now you look for what your country and society is going to give you.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to start out slow but once it finally got to the real information it was filled with interesting facts and I learned quite a bit. I did find the writing a little dry.

[Rafa oreamuno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

For those how love aviation history , this a very good book.
Good storytelling transports you back in time.
Thank

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Millionaires’ Unit” (Pan Books, 2006) by Marc Wortman is a fascinating account of a flying club started by students at Yale University in 1916/17 that went on to become the progenitor of U.S. naval aviation. This Yale Aero Club was composed of 30-some Elis – all with families who had the means to support their very expensive passion – who when they offered their amateur services to the U.S. Navy in 1917 with America on the cusp of war were rebuffed by the admirals and Secretary of the Navy. Tidbit #1 – When their offer was spurned, the Yalies actually had a larger air force than the U.S. Navy (pg. 77). Tidbit #2 – The Aero Club essentially became the 1st Squadron of the Naval Air Reserve (xv).

This narrative has a nice feel to it – the reader gets to experience the transition of the college kids from boys to men … from being gridiron or crew stars to participants in a game of life and death … from being well-to-do youngsters just playing with the new fad of flight to sending home messages informing other Yale men of the death of one and then another and then another from their ranks. This pioneering group of young aviators were mostly 22 years of age or less at the start of their adventure.

It is called the Millionaires’ Unit because of the wealth these young men came from - their families and their affluent status allowed them to pursue adventure without looking back. In the end they spent about two and one half years in pursuit of flying – either preparing for war or at war. Unlike most World War I narratives that highlight the meat grinder where thousands of ground troops fought in the trenches and were hurled against each other over no mans’ land, this tale focuses on how the seeds for a future air power were sown by these college students. Some of these Elis who gained their first taste of aviation in World War I would reappear 25 years later in another world war with much more technology in aeronautics.

This was a very interesting rendering of the start of our country’s naval aviation program. It also depicted a time when and a place where some of the young men of our country felt a call to service. These individuals were from an affluent background that could have been used to avoid being called into dangerous duty, but they did just the opposite – they were attracted to it … some for the thrill, some for the call of making it a better world. This was good stuff.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real hidden gem and great read for anyone interested in U.S. history of WW I and the origins of our "Establishment" and more so our military aviation, especially the Navy's fly boys.

The author is an elite-educated and previously employed writer who has been well-situated in life, enabling his writing of this fascinating book. In his introduction, Wortman writes, "Today, relatively few young Americans from comparable [elitist] backgrounds would consider military service -- or self-sacrificing service of any kind as an obligation that comes with the privileges that define their lives." This candid confession of perhaps one of those types is revealing and assuring that the author isn't merely interested in blowing smoke about a bunch of sugar-spooned, spoiled brats who think an HYP education sets them apart from the common folk.

This is a well-conceived and written story about a group of young men, with lots of specific, personal insight to a handful of members, who all went on to great things. Yes, they all came from great "things", read largess, power, privilege, but they used that for so much more than becoming a government drone. These men were real heroes. In this time when we watch elitist snobs and persons of dwarfed-character coming out of the Ivy League, sure they are American royalty, this book is a refreshing look back at what and who these Yalies once were. Don't we need to know there were once men like these?!? I do.

P.S. Unlike many military history books, the author enlists a style and biographical genre that illuminates and fascinates readers. At least it did this reader.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Even though I was predisposed to like a book about Yalie aviation pioneers in WWI, this book didn't disappoint. The book recounts the story (in a rather breathless fashion...) of a group of Yale men who started an aviation unit well ahead of formal American preparations for entry into WWI, driven by a sense of duty to serve (against the tide of American isolationism.) It follows them from their Yale days, through the beginning of their efforts to learn to fly, and eventual deployment to the UK and France. The unit was self-funded by the wealthy families, who also up the flyers up and scrounged around for planes, which were rare in the U.S. at the time.

Their personalities are the stuff of fiction. It was especially cool to read about Bob Lovett's formative years (after reading so much about him in Wise Men) and how his WWI flying led to the doctrine of strategic bombing. It was amazing how close and cohesive the group stayed, even after its members were split up to become the core of other units.

I also enjoyed the parts about how the war changed Yale as an institution, focused less on the social aspects and more on academic rigor.

[Jordan Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting topic, but a very slow presentation. It was interesting to see the state of American society before the Great War and how that changed as the American entrance into the war grew closer and closer. Trubee Davison was a man before his time, and his foresight into the need of an aviation force was incredibly lucky for the Navy once America actually entered the war. I liked getting to know each of the men within the Millionaires' Unit and seeing how they fell in love with flying. I also liked getting to see how the men reacted to war and how that changed them. I was devastated whenever a member of the unit was killed, but I liked seeing the fighting spirit of the remaining members and how they were inspired to fly faster and fight harder. I liked the glimpses into the lives of the men after the war and how they used the skills they gained as part of the Millionaires' Unit to change America. Overall, a fascinating bit of history that ought to be more talked about, but told in a way that takes a while to truly appreciate.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the CD version of the book and learned about what life was like 100 years ago. I live about 30 miles from Yale and have been on campus a few times; but the Yale of 1916 is a world away from what I have seen in the present. In the book Marc Wortman describes an all male college and mandatory morning chapel attendance. Not now. I was surprised that these wealthy students had such a willingness to sacrifice their college education to start up an aviation unit for the Navy. That was admirable.
Another thing that surprised me was way back in 1916 Groton, Connecticut was already a big submarine base. I thought that happened years later. The Yale vs Harvard rowing competition is held up in the Groton and New London area.
I hope this book becomes a Hollywood movie so others can see the benefits of living for the sake of others.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was an interesting work of historical literature. The topic it touched on was one I had not heard much about before and it did a good job setting the scene for the time period and the group of people it was talking about. Once the book actually got to the war (WWI) it was very exciting, the only problem was that did not happen till more than half way thought. Most of the beginning of the book was dedicated to describing the lives of the characters and what it was like to go to Yale in the early 1900's. It was interesting but way way too overdone. Not a bad read but it really seemed to drag at times.

[Raj Agrawal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich and detailed account of (primarily) key Yale students' contribution to airpower in WWI. While often challenging to follow, it's clear the author immersed himself in each character's role, feelings, and individual challenges. This book adds necessary texture to WWI airpower; however, the telling is dense, with a lot of investment in Yale culture, traditions, and development over time. Recommended for those specifically looking for more layers in how individual American heroics were fundamental to American airpower. This is as much (if not more) a book about Yale as it is about the students who made their mark on American heritage.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a very good book. However, it was often difficult to completely relate to the stories of the men in the book. Unless you come from an elite American family, it's difficult to entirely relate to many of their complaints or desires. And that they thought nothing of stealing Geronimo's bones seems unbelievable today. After wading through all of that though, the bravery and sacrifices that the "Millionaire's Unit" displayed is remarkable. It's difficult to imagine a similar group of such privileged men giving up their lives and potentially their futures to do the same today.

[Ann Voss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an interest in the Layfayette Escadrille of World War I. They were volunteers who fought with France. The Millionaires' Unit follows Yale men believed the US would enter WWI, and that Naval Air Power would lead the way. Their parents were the Barons of Wall Street, publisher, land Barons, etc. The parents bought them planes, paid for instruction, put them up in their homes on Long Island, and Florida. All the while they tried to convince the government the importance of air power. Fascinating read.

[Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of my Air Force heritage reading kick (acstually, the kick is still on-going). This book is fun in seeing the character portraits of those men intrumental in forming the first air squadron in the Army. A lot of their views in life have survived the 80 or so years into the operational Air Force that is the inheritor of their passions, wit, character, and cavalier sense of adventure.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over vacation; a good read. The first half of the book discusses the Victorian-era culture and social situation that the first Yale unit flyers came from. At times it felt like that there was too much emphasis on Yale student life, but by the end of the book, I understood why the author felt it was necessary. The second half of the book covers the experience of aviators during First World War.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about a group of Yale students who through their affluence are able to set up a air unit that eventually sees service in the First World War. Personally, I had hoped the book would be much more about the air war aspect. The book did provide of information of how the post-Industrial Revolution aristocracy arose and wielded so much power through their Skull and Bones connections.

[Katie Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little name/date/time heavy to be entirely engaging, but really interesting. I've often wondered how the Navy got planes, plus - at the end of the book - we won! Yay USA! Only kidding, of course we won :) Yay for the Yale and Harvard boys for doing such a service to their country!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting early aviation story different from my 40s-era reading.

A time when Yale & Ivy League students were born and bred to be superior Americans up to and including the ultimate sacrifice rather than a path to power to send OTHERS to fight and die.

[Trubee Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of an ambitious and courageous young generation of Yale students, who forever transformed US military air power, starring two of my great grandfathers Trubee Davison and David Ingalls.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the origins of Naval Airpower, and really American Air Power in general from this book. Plus a lot about WWI that I had forgotten since high school.

[Nannie Bittinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much information on WWI avaition..I was over-whelmed but my husband who is a pilot and aviation mechanic loved it.

[Matthew Manzella · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No more names have been added, but not from a lack of wars." What a way to rip my heart out with the last sentence.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave up after the first few pages. The author did not spare any cliches.

[Martine Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

once upon a time, when scions had honor...