Born in Londonberry, Nova Scotia, Canada on July 30, 1896. Honor graduate United States Army School of Military Aeronautics July 14, 1917. Received Military Aviator Rating and Commission in France in November 1917. He was assigned to the 94^th Aero Squadron, the “Hat in the Ring” squadron which was commanded by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. He commanded the 147^th Aero Squadron and became an Ace August 1, 1918. He returned to Birmingham, Alabama in 1921 and banned together a group of ex-Army and Navy aviators and organized the Birmingham Flying Club. Thus was born the Alabama National Guard. After months of ceaseless work his dream became a reality on January 22, 1922. The 135^th Observation Squadron, later to become the 106^th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard was mustered into State and Federal service by the end of July. The squadron was functioning as a flying unit with Major James Armand Meissner as its first Commanding Officer.
Inducted Into Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame 1985

JAMES A. MEISSNER