Henry C. Mustin (1874–1923)
Henry Croskey Mustin (6 February 1874 – 23 August 1923) was a pioneering naval aviator who undertook the task of establishing the first Naval Aeronautic Station (now Naval Air Station Pensacola) on the site of the abandoned Navy Yard at Warrington, Florida in 1914. He was designated Navy Air Pilot No. 3 and later Naval Aviator No. 11. Two U.S. Navy destroyers have borne the name Mustin in honor of Captain Mustin and his descendants, three of whom have served as flag officers. Early life and career Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mustin graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1896. He spent two years at sea, as required by law, before he was commissioned an ensign. From then until he reported to duty in aviation 15 years later, he distinguished himself as a remarkably capable officer in the surface navy. After receiving his commission, Mustin served during the next 18 months on board six different ships. From October 1899 to March 1900, he served as commanding officer of , a gunboat on the Asiatic Station. While commanding Samar, during the capture of Vigan in the Philippine Islands, Mustin won a commendation for towing the boats of the battleship to shore and aiding in covering the landing. After a night of carousing in May 1900, Mustin was court-martialed for leaving his station and sleeping on watch, resulting in the loss of five numbers in grade. The court martial reconvened to pardon him, and he eventually had his numbers restored by President Theodore Roosevelt, who heard that Mustin had punched a British sailor for insulting the U.S. Navy during the night in question. Mustin was also interested in the technical aspects of naval artillery and helped develop a telescopic sight that would aid in increasing the accuracy and range of naval gunnery. He made his first flight while on duty at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. In January 1911, he aided Holden C. Richardson in an experiment with a glider, which Richardson designed and built. Mustin soloed on 13 March 1913. Naval Aeronautic Station In 1913, plans for a national naval air service were taking shape, and Pensacola, Florida, was chosen over Annapolis, Maryland, as the site of a training facility, as the warmer weather along the United States Gulf Coast would be better for year-round flying. On 31 December 1913, Mustin reported for duty as executive officer of , a battleship being sent to Pensacola Bay for training purposes. On 6 January 1914, under a new ranking system for officers, Mustin was designated Navy Air Pilot No. 3 (after Theodore G. Ellyson and John H. Towers). A detachment of nine officers and about two dozen enlisted men arrived at Pensacola on 20 January and began to establish the new school. It was operational by February. Mustin and his wife and two sons, Lloyd and Henry, moved into Quarters A on the station. Following the Tampico Affair on 9 April 1914, the United States sent a squadron of warships to Veracruz, Mexico.