Patrick, Mason (Mathews) (1863-1942)

St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. He converted much of Ireland from paganism to Christianity.

US soldier and aviator. From 1921, as chief of the post-war air service, Patrick fostered experimentation in aircraft design and established a chain of air facilities. He supported the 1926 reorganization that gave the aviation section a new name - the Army Air Corps - and a measure of autonomy.

He was born in Lewisburg, West Virginia. The son of a Confederate army surgeon, he graduated from West Point in 1886 as a classmate of John Pershing. Patrick pursued a quiet career as an army engineer until 1917, when Pershing put him in charge of the American Expeditionary Force's air service.