March 1 Marks Centennial of the First Parachute Jump From a Heavier Than Air Aircraft Over St. Louis

By Carmelo Turdo

A special 100^th anniversary celebration of the first successful parachute jump from an airplane will take place Thursday, 1 March, at 1:00 PM on the Jefferson Barracks military installation.  Captain Alfred Berry parachuted onto the Parade Field at Jefferson Barracks on march 1, 1912.  The event starts with a ceremony in Building 24 at 1:00 PM, and will move to the west parade field to observe a commemorative parachute jump at about 1:30 PM (weather permitting).  The public is invited to attend.  Entry to the base will be by the older Sherman Road gate (just keep going straight as you pass St. Bernadette’s Church).    

Scheduled Distinguished Guests:
Gateway Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division Association
Missouri Aviation Historical Society
Mr. Craig Baumberger, aircraft & pilot provider
Missouri Civil War Museum
Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum
Mr. John Judd, office of State Sen. James Lembke
Mr. Charles Benoist, nephew of the designer of the Type 12 Benoist “pusher” used in the first parachute descent from an airplane.

Program:
1 p.m. - Commemoration ceremony; Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center
Col. David W. Newman, Jefferson Barracks Base Commander and Master of Ceremonies
Presentation of the colors –1175th Military Police Company, St. Clair
National Anthem
Mr. Arthur Schuermann, Jefferson Barracks Historic Preservation Office
Mr. Charlie Dooley, St. Louis County Executive
U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, Third Congressional District (invited)
Mr. Charles W. Benoist, nephew of Thomas Benoist
1:30 p.m. – Parachute descent; west parade grounds

The Parachutist
Lewis Sanborn is a pilot and master parachutist with more than 7,300 jumps to his credit. The 82-year-old Imperial, Missouri resident served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division from 1948 to 1952 making his first jump at Fort Benning, Ga. He was the co-founder of Parachutes Incorporated, president of the Helmet Sports Parachuting Center and the Orange Sport Parachuting Center. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Sanborn and his wife, Jacky, are the proud parents of two sons and have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.