to send new orders for aviation training for Bellinger. He was ordered back to Greenbury Point, where he entered the aviation training with John Towers as his instructor. Because of severe weather conditions during the winter in Annapolis, in early January 1913, the pilot training school was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to train with the Fleet. Bellinger undertook training together with Alfred A. Cunningham, Godfrey Chevalier and William Billingsley, and designated naval aviator on March 5, 1913 as Naval Aviator #8. During war games he demonstrated aviation ability in scouting and in locating mine fields and submarines and made the American Seaplane record of 6,200 feet, an altitude record that lasted for two years. In May 1913, Bellinger was together with Lieutenant Holden C. Richardson ordered to Burgess Company in Marblehead, Massachusetts to test a new flying boat being built for the Navy. On January 10, 1914, Bellinger together with Lieutenants John H. Towers and Henry C. Mustin arrived to Pensacola, Florida, where they established first Naval aviation training station. The first aviation unit consisted of nine officers, 23 enlisted men, and seven aircraft. Bellinger remained in that assignment until mid-April 1914, when he assumed command of Aviation Section aboard battleship USS Mississippi. He then embarked for Veracruz, Mexico, where he flew patrol missions during the occupation of that port. Bellinger made flights over enemy's territory and was under fire by ground troops. His plane was struck on one occasion by rifle bullets. This was the first occasion when a U.S. plane was under enemy fire and Bellinger was recommended for the Medal of Honor, which was ultimately not granted. In July 1914, Bellinger was transferred to the armored cruiser USS North Carolina, which served as aviation training ship and he participated in the experiments with naval aviation. The North Carolina became the first ship to launch an aircraft using a catapult while Bellinger served aboard. He returned to Pensacola in January 1915 and participated in the several feats including American Altitude Record for Seaplane of 10,000 feet or launch from the upgraded catapult at Pensacola. He then served again aboard North Carolina and participated in the duty in connection with aeronautics from May 1916 and returned to Pensacola in April 1917. While there Bellinger conducted the first night seaplane flight in which floodlights were employed on the beach for illuminating water. This marked the first phase of regular