About
World War I (1914-1918)
Herbert Florian Canfield was born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on August 20, 1895. After graduating from the University of Washington in 1916 with a degree in electrical engineering, Herbert was offered a position with General Electric and relocated to Schenectady, New York. He tested the battleship New Mexico's electric controls while he was employed by General Electric. Herbert was a well-known tennis player in Schenectady, where he won the local championship in 1917. In addition, he was captain of the Edison Club basketball team.
On March 1, 1918, Herbert enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve Force. He was a chief quartermaster. The seaplane Herbert was piloting crashed in Biscayne Bay off the coast of Miami, Florida, on August 26, 1918, while he was undergoing training at the United States Naval Aviation camp. He is buried in the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Washington.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry