Originally Posted by "Mike Strigg
We have the Royal Navy to thank for the establishment of military aviation in this country and thus worldwide, so let us all celebrate that fact next year.
Parallel development, yes. Responsible for USN/US Army aviation? NO.
The USN had been looking at aviation since 1898, when Asst SecNav Theodore Roosevelt ordered the USN to join the US Army in evaluating Samuel Langley's flying machine.
They both continued to evaluate aircraft, including the Wright Flyer in 1908, and the USN sent officers to the Rheims Aviation Meet in 1909.
On 26 September 1910, the USN formed its first aviation department (albeit a small one).
In November 1910 & January 1911, the USN arranged the flights of Eugene Ely, the first take-offs & landings of a heavier-than-air craft from a ship ever.
Flight training of USN officers began with Lt. Theodore Ellyson in December 1910 and Lt. John Rodgers in March 1911.
The USN purchased its first aircraft on 8 May 1911.
The USN sponsored & assisted in Glen Curtis' development of his "hydroaeroplane" (floatplane) during 1911.
http://www.history.navy.mil/download/history/part01.pdf
from:
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/usna1910.htm