Recently, while researching the Journal of Mississippi History for historical items of interest, I came across an article by William Jeanes in Volume LXV, no. 1 entitled, "Mississippi's World War I Airmen and the Naming of Keesler Air Force base. Jeanes reports that one "Shelby Batson of Poplarville flew thirteen missions as an observer with the 50th Aero Squadron. There is no complete list enumerating World War I observers by state of origin, . . . Some Mississippi airmen doubtless remain unidentified."[1]
Searching in several of the online resources for genealogical and military information I found Shelby's draft registration form, a ship's passenger listing of his return from France and his father and mother's names, and his date of birth and death. In the early 1900s a large lumber mill was operated by a Batson family and it would add greatly to the WWI exhibit at the Historical Society museum if we could provide a connection between Shelby Batson and the Batson Lumber Company.
Comments welcomed.
[1] Jeanes, William. "Mississippi's World War I Airmen and the Naming of Keesler Air Force Base." Journal of Mississippi History. Vol. LXV, no. 1 (2003), p. 125.
