Who was the first American enlisted pilot?

Vernon L. Burge is recognized as the first American enlisted pilot, having earned his wings in 1912. His achievement marked a significant milestone in military aviation history, as he paved the way for future enlisted personnel to serve as pilots. Burge's contribution is particularly notable given that at the time, aviation was still a burgeoning field and the role of enlisted pilots was not well established. His pioneering status reflects the expanding opportunities for enlisted members in the U.S. military to take on aviation roles, which were predominantly occupied by officers in the early years of flight. In contrast, the other figures mentioned—Orville and Wilbur Wright—were aviation pioneers and engineers but not enlisted pilots, while Eugene Bullard was the first African American military pilot but did not hold the distinction of being the first enlisted pilot in the U.S.