Note: This item is currently in storage.

These six pieces of aircraft were taken from Lt. Quentin Roosevelt's Nieuport 28 at the crash site by Sgt. Mark Thatcher on July 14, 1918. There are three small pieces of painted aircraft fabric (red, white, blue), a small piece of wood and two pieces of hardware (nut and wire). Roosevelt, the son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, arrived in France during World War I as a supply officer and trained to become a pilot. As a pilot, he flew a Nieuport 28 with the 95th Aero Squadron. Roosevelt died when his plane was shot down behind German lines by Sgt. Karl Thom, a German ace with 24 victories, on July 14, 1918.

On display in the museum's Early Years Gallery is the handmade wooden cross that marked Roosevelt's grave.

Donated by Julia Thatcher Witmer.

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Related Fact Sheets

Lt. Quentin Roosevelt

Nieuport 28

Videos

Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Burial Cross (00:02:30)

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