John W. Wainwright was born on November 12, 1874, in Fall River, Massachusetts. He was married to Frances Elizabeth McFarland Wainwright.

In 1898, he volunteered in the Missouri State Militia and became a member of old Company B of this city. He served in the militia for about a year and then enlisted in the 14th U.S. Infantry, where he served for two or three terms, and was then transferred to the First Infantry. He was with the First until the war was declared with Germany when he was transferred to the aviation section and was promoted to Captain. For a time, he was stationed at an aviation field in Florida, and after a few months, was sent to France.

Cpt Wainwright died of pneumonia in France on September 25, 1918, and is now buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Bates County, Missouri, USA. He was one of the 171 American servicemen who trained at the Third Aviation Instruction Center in France and died between 1917-1919.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com