Enlarged photo of Lt. Cdr. Henry C. Mustin taken from his U. S. Navy Air Pilot Certificate.

The U. S. Navy Air Pilot Certificate issued to Lt. Cdr. Henry C. Mustin in Jan. 1915. In January 1918, after the "Naval Air Pilot" designation was merged with the "Naval Aviator" designation, Mustin was officially listed as Naval Aviator No. 11.

Henry C. Mustin, born in Pennsylvania 6 February 1874, was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1892. He was commended for distinguished service in command of Samar during the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899, when he towed boats carrying the landing party to shore and covered the assault so effectively that not one casualty was suffered. A key member of the Navy's first band of gallant aviators, Mustin piloted the first aircraft ever catapulted from a ship, and flew the first combat missions of American aircraft from Mississippi during the Mexican campaign in 1914. Captain Mustin was the first commander of Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. He died 23 August 1923.

(Text and photos courtesy of the USNHC)