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| Lieutenant John Harding, Jr. 28 years old, was mechanician of the New Orleans. He was shy with
women but otherwise eager for adventure and unafraid of danger. His perpetual good humor and easy manner in the
face of extreme adversity earned him the nickname of "Smilin' Jack". Harding was the son of an inventor and
engineer from a formerly aristocratic and wealthy Virginia family that founded and owned the famous Belle
Mead plantation of Nashville, Tennessee. As a child, he spent his entire allowance on copper wires and batteries
for his inventive projects and was often disciplined for dismantling and 'improving' his family's clocks,
sewing machines, tractors, and automobiles. He graduated from Vanderbilt University as a mechanical engineer
and worked for the Chalmers and Dodge Motor companies before enlisting as a Private in the Air Service. After
completing Aviation Mechanics school, Lt. 'Tiny' Harmon selected him as mechanician to keep the engines going
on his Martin bomber during its first circumnavigation by air around the perimeter of the U.S. Harding amazed
pilots by crawling out on the wings of bombers in flight and lifting the cowling to make engine adjustments and
avoid emergency landings. He used this technique during his first flight with Les Arnold when his engine
faltered in flight over hostile mountains. His bravery and competence during 500 flight hours quickly earned
him his officer's rank. | ||
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