Flowers and Honors of War Mark Obsequies of Aviator

"Flowers and Honors of War Mark Obsequies of Aviator. Floral Tributes Heaped High on Casket of Pittsburgh Flyer Killed Monday." The Pittsburgh Sun, 10 May 1919.

Military honors as elaborate and impressive as any the navy can bestow were accorded today to the body of Ensign Hugh J. Adams, Pittsburgh naval aviator, who was killed May 5 when his hydro-airplane crashed to the ground at Rockaway Beach, Long Island. Ensign Adams and his companion, Chief Machinist's Mate H. B. Corey, both were killed and their machine was wrecked after the former descended to within 150 feet of the ground and failed to make a successful bank.

Six of the dead aviator's close companions came from Rockaway Beach to give him a military burial. From Florida came Ensign Albert W. Evans, who enlisted with Adams in July, 1917, and trained with him.

Funeral services were to have been held in the little home of the father, James Adams, at 216 Goodrich street, Northside, but lack of room to accommodate the ensign's friends, who came from many cities, made it necessary to hold services in the Central Presbyterian Church, Northside. The obsequies began there at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, burial following in Uniondale cemetery.

Flowers Fill Room.
One room of the Adams home was literally filled with flowers this morning. Flowers were banked high up one wall and were piled in disarray back of the casket. The latter was draped with the American flag and was decorated with the aviator's photograph, his naval cap and the ceremonial sword used for naval ceremonies.

The body reached Pittsburgh yesterday. A brother of the dead aviator, Ralph J. Adams, is hurrying from San Diego, Cal., to attend the services, but telegraphed that he had been delayed in New Mexico and might not be able to arrive in time. The brother is a naval mechanic at the California flying field.

Despite the rainy aspect, the original military program was carried out. It was planned to have 200 bluejackets and naval airmen march with the cortege to the cemetery from the church.

Honor Guard Personnel.
The honor guard of six of the aviator's companions is composed of Lieutenant David A. Musk and Ensigns Michael J. McDermott, Thomas B. Clemens, G. F. Adamson, W. M. Howlett and J. C. Schwabe. Two of them, McDermott and Schwabe, had been up a few minutes earlier in the same plane in which Adams crashed to his death.

Ensign Adams was considered one of the best instructors at the Rockaway Beach naval air station, and had been given a foreign-service chevron, although held in this country to train flyers.

Besides his brothers and parents, the aviator leaves a sister, Mrs. Charles Brady, of 1129 Race street, West Park.

Accounts of Hugh Adams' Death & Funeral. Adams Collection Main Menu.