James Shipton
In July 1917, General Shipton was sent to France to investigate the French and British antiaircraft defense at schools and at the front. He and two other officers soon began the organization of the American Anti-Aircraft Service using what they learned. By October 1917, the American Anti-Aircraft School at Arnouville was ready to instruct personnel. That same month, Shipton became the commander of the A.A.A school. On May 18, 1918, the first hit of the service occurred when a German L.V.G. observation plane was shot down southeast of Verdon. The infant service was able to shoot down 58 airplanes before the end of WWI thanks to the vision and instruction of General Shipton.
Joseph A. Green
General Green served in the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI and after the War served in the War Department General Staff, later taking command of the 61st Coastal Artillery until 1940 when he served as the Chief of the Coastal Artillery. When that position was abolished, he was appointed to be the Chief of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command until his retirement in 1946.