near Verpel, just east of Grand Pre were out of contact with division headquarters. Because of the foul weather and approaching darkness, Captain Steve N. Noyes, squadron commander of the 12th would not send any of his pilots on the mission, going himself instead. Flying in dense fog and rain, Captain Noyes located the troops and landed near the division HQ after dark. The information proved to be exact, and the squadron was highly commended for this as well as many other missions. The 12th completed its World War I operations from Julvecourt Aerodrome, where it moved on 5 November in order to operate closer to the front lines. Third Army of occupation After the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918, the 12th Aero Squadron became a part of the Army of Occupation. The unit was located at several different places in France and Germany until 30 December, when it went to Fort Alexander (Feste Kaiser Alexander) at Koblenz, Germany, to take part in construction work. Demobilization The squadron received orders from Third Army on 16 April 1919 to demobilize. It was ordered to report to the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome, to turn in all of its supplies and equipment and was relieved from duty with the AEF. The squadron's Salmson aircraft were delivered to the American Air Service Acceptance Park No. 1 at Orly Aerodrome to be returned to the French. There practically all of the pilots and observers were detached from the squadron. Personnel at Colombey were subsequently assigned to the Commanding General, Services of Supply and ordered to report to the Le Mans, France, staging camp on 5 May 1919. There, personnel awaited scheduling to report to one of the Base Ports in France for transport to the United States and subsequent demobilization. Orders were received to report to the port at Brest, France, 20 May. The squadron sailed aboard the on 3 June, arriving at Garden City, New York, on 17 June 1919. There, most members of the squadron were demobilized and returned to civilian life. Lineage Organized as 12th Aero Squadron on 2 June 1917 Redesignated: 12th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 3 May 1918 Redesignated: 12th Aero Squadron, 17 June 1919 Redesignated: 12th Squadron (Observation) on 14 March 1921 Assignments Post Headquarters, Kelly Field, 2 June 1917 Post Headquarters, Wilbur Wright Field, 8 July 1917 Aviation Concentration Center, 5 October 1917