Hi everyone, and welcome to our weekly local history post!
Each week we share vintage newspaper articles from years past, drawn from local publications such as the Corning Blossburg Advocate, Corning Independent, The Corning Journal, The Evening Leader, and other local newspapers. We also feature the complete issue of The Corning Leader published exactly 100 years ago. From time to time, we’ll also include newly taken photographs of local historic places, landmarks, and artifacts.
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Vintage Article(s) of the Week
This week our stand alone articles are all about Corning’s World War I Flying Ace – Reginald Sinclaire!
Briefly, Reginald Sinclaire was born in Corning, was interested in flight from an early age and joined the French Foreign Legion becoming a fighter pilot in France before the United States entered World War I. For his outstanding service, he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre citation by the French government in 1918 – which is what the following article reports. The two related items include a piece from the Leader (1976) giving an overview of his World War I career, and his obituary from the Leader; he died in 1989, and had lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado for decades – but was buried here, in Hope Cemetery.
Croix de Guerre For Reginald Sinclaire, Corning Aviator Now Fighting For France from the Evening Leader, June 6, 1918
And as the above article is a bit hard to read – here is the text of it:
The Evening Leader, Corning, New York, June 6, 1918, p.10
Croix De Guerre For Reginald Sinclaire, Corning Aviator Now Fighting For France
Copy of French Citation is Received Here in Copy of Paris Edition of New York Herald–Stands Off Three Enemy Planes Enabling Companion To Destroy One of Them.
Reginald Sinclaire of this city a member of the foreign legion made up of American Aviators who are flying in the service of France has been awarded the Croix de guerre, according to information which reaches this city from a newspaper clipping taken from the Paris edition of the New York Herald of April 11. This clipping gave the first notice to friends and relatives of Mr. Sinclaire here of the circumstances under which this distinguished honor was conferred upon him.
The text of the clipping follows:
“Another American aeroplane pilot has been mentioned in Army Orders. This is Corporal Reginald Sinclaire, whose citation, dated Mar. 7, appeared in yesterday’s’ Journal Officel.”
“Sinclaire (Reginald), matricula 13,254, a corporal in the 1st Foreign Regiment, pilot of the Squadrilla S P. A. 68; American pilot, volunteer, of an ardor and bravery above all eulogy. By his masterliness and resolute attitude, he held in respect a protection of three chasing aeroplanes, thus permitting his comrade to bring down an aeroplane.”
Since the publication in the Paris newspaper Mr. Sinclaire’s services have been further recognized by the promotion from the rank of corporal to sergeant.
Sergeant Sinclaire, son of the late H. P. Sinclaire who was long one of the officers of the Corning Glass Works, enlisted in the Lafayette Escadrille a year ago last May when he left for France. He had previously made unsuccessful efforts to secure a flying commission in the United States army but was prevented from doing so by a technicality. He began flying in France last October. A few months ago the Evening Leader published an account of his destruction of his first enemy plane.
The news of Sergeant Sinclaire’s continued success in the war zone is most gratifying to his legion of Corning friends.
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W. W. I Flying Ace Was From Corning | May 28, 1976, The Leader, Corning, N.Y.
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And for a bit more information on his life, here is Reginald Sinclaire‘s obituary from the Corning Leader, February 22, 1989
A Glimpse of Local Life: A Hundred Years Ago!
Here is an entire issue of The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. published on this day in 1926.
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The Evening Leader, Corning, N.Y. | October 16, 2026
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Have a great weekend everyone,
Linda Reimer, SSCL
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Local History Online Library Resources:
Heritage Quest: Heritage Quest is the library’s online genealogy service, and it includes access to census records and other research sources; it can be accessed by going to the Online Resources page, on the library’s website, and scrolling down until you see the link for Heritage Quest:
https://www.ssclibrary.org/research/online-resources/
Once you’ve clicked on the Heritage Quest link, you’ll be prompted to login with your card number and PIN. If you have questions about how to use Heritage Quest, please feel free to let me know – my email address is reimerl@stls.org
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Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:
At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.
Also of note, we have local papers including the Corning Leader, Corning Evening Leader, Corning Journal and Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!
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Local History & Newspaper blog posts are published on Fridays.
