Featured World War I Artifacts

Edward V. Rickenbacker- 94th Aero Squadron

Having completed gunnery school, Rickenbacker was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron. In February, he and several
other pilots traveled to Paris to fly their new Nieuport 28s back to Villeneuve. However, a snow storm delayed
their return, and Rickenbacker used some of the extra time to begin a diary. His first entry on Saturday, March 2, 1917,

marks the beginning of an account that would continue past the Armistice, providing a first-hand account from the

man who would become America's "Ace of Aces".

Featured World War I Artifacts
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has thousands of artifacts in its collection. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of World War I, each week through November 2018, a significant or interesting artifact from the museum's WWI collection will be featured on this page.
Use the links below to view past featured artifacts.
Past Featured Accessions
- 1st Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 07/27/2016
- 1st Aero Squadron Panoramic Photo
  Posted 06/08/2015
- 1-Star Window Flag (Jones)
  Posted 09/16/2015
- 1-Star Window Flag (Queisser)
  Posted 07/15/2015
- 1918 Military Poems Booklet
  Posted 09/02/2015
- 9th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 06/08/2015
- 17th Aero Squadron Insigne
  Posted 06/08/2015
- 27th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 06/30/2016
- 50th Aero Squadron M1917 Infantry Helmet
  Posted 03/31/2016
- 95th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 06/08/2015
- 135th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 06/08/2015
- 141st Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 07/21/2016
- 147th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
  Posted 06/08/2015
- 147th Aero Squadron, Operations Office
  Posted 01/28/2016
- 166th Aero Squadron Wooden Box
  Posted 06/16/2016
- Air Service Recruitment Poster
  Posted 11/30/2016
- Aircraft Insigne, 138th Aero Squadron
  Posted 07/20/2017
- Aircraft Insigne, 139th Aero Squadron
  Posted 08/02/2017
- Aircraft Recognition Collage
  Posted 06/08/2015
- American Expeditionary Forces Field Service Postcard
  Posted 11/18/2015
- Anti-Aircraft Unit Patch
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Arctic/Cold Weather Balloon Anchor
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Austro-Hungarian Balloon Corp Collar Insignia
  Posted 11/25/2015
- Austro-Hungarian Transportation Corp Collar Insignia
  Posted 08/05/2015
- Aviation Section Aviation Mechanic Patch
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Aviation Section Enlisted Patch
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Balloon Hook
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Balloon Mechanic Patch
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Barbed Wire
  Posted 10/28/2015
- Boot Hooks
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Boot Jack
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Boots and Gaiters for the War Advertisement
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Brown Leather Riding Boots
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and 94th Aero Squadron Insignia
  Posted 10/07/2015
- Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker Swagger Stick
  Posted 12/08/2017
- Capt. Reed Chambers Calling Card
  Posted 11/07/2016
- Clip-on Sunglasses
  Posted 10/14/2015
- Dazzle Camouflage on Troop Ships
  Posted 12/02/2015
- DH-4 Data Plate
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Don’t Take a Chance
  Posted 01/07/2016
- Eddie Rickenbacker-Race Car Driver
  Posted 01/19/2018
- Edward V. Rickenbacker- AEF Chauffeur
  Posted 02/23/2018
- Eddie Rickenbacker WWI Diary
  Posted 03/02/2018
- Eddie Rickenbacker Dog Tag
  Posted 03/17/2016
- Form for Dropped Messages
  Posted 11/10/2015
- George C. Kenny for Mess Officer
  Posted 02/25/2016
- Great International Peace Pool
  Posted 01/14/2016
- Independence Day Menu, First Aero Squadron
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Ink Bottle
  Posted 11/04/2015
- International Committee of the Red Cross Prisoner of War Items
  Posted 06/08/2015
- JN-4D Aircraft Fabric from Lt. Mather's Aircraft
  Posted 08/04/2016
- John Tynan’s Close Call
  Posted 03/10/2016
- “Just Like Washington Crossed the Delaware, General Pershing Will Cross the Rhine” Sheet Music
  Posted 08/12/2015
- Kaiser Wilhelm II Cigarette Case
  Posted 05/05/2016
- Kerosene Lamp
  Posted 07/29/2015
- King George V Letter to American Troops
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Kodak Autographic Camera
  Posted 10/21/2015
- Lafayette Escadrille Pilot Watch
  Posted 03/03/2016
- Lafayette Escadrille Pin
  Posted 06/08/2015
- Lafayette Flying Corps Dress Cap
  Posted 09/15/2017
- Liberty Bond Poster
  Posted 12/15/2016
- Liberty Bond and War Saving Stamps Leaflets
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Andrew J. LaBoiteaux
  Posted 04/11/2017
- Lt. Andrew J. LaBoiteaux Completes Aerial Gunnery Training
  Posted 04/27/2017
- Lt. LaBoiteaux Awaits Embarkation to the Front
  Posted 05/11/2017
- Lt. LaBoiteaux Embarkation Instructions
  Posted 05/26/2017
- Lt. LaBoiteaux on the RMS Adriatic
  Posted 06/08/2017
- Lt. LaBoiteaux’s Assignment and Back Home
  Posted 07/12/2017
- Lt. Col. William Thaw
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Lt. Eugene Scroggie’s Letter Home
  Posted 01/14/2016
- Lt. Frank S. Ennis and the 147th Aero Squadron
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Lt. Frank Luke Writing Portfolio
  Posted 02/04/2016
- Lt. Guy Wiser POW Card
  Posted 04/21/2016
- Lt. Harold Goettler Writing Case
  Posted 02/18/2016
- Lt. Harold R. Harris Letter
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Lt. Howard G. Mayes Prisoner of War Correspondence
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Lt. LeRoy Kiley on the Italian Front
  Posted 11/16/2016
- Metatarsal Pads
  Posted 05/12/2016
- Method of Shooting Against Monoplace
  Posted 06/24/2015
- Mexican Border Service Medal
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Motor Transport Corps Insignia
  Posted 05/19/2016
- Motor Transport Corps Medallion
  Posted 05/26/2016
- National Aeroplane Fund
  Posted 06/18/2015
- Neutrality League Announcement No. 2, 1914
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Photographs of the 8th Balloon Company
  Posted 03/24/2016
- Plan of Reconnaissance Aviation
  Posted 12/09/2015
- Popular Songs of the AEF
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Propaganda Leaflet in German
  Posted 09/23/2015
- Prussian Cavalry Officer Helmet
  Posted 04/28/2016
- Edward V. Rickenbacker-French Medallion
  Posted 10/12/2017
- Quentin Roosevelt Nieuport 28 Souvenirs
  Posted 06/09/2015
- The Rhine and its Legends
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Scrapbook photos of Master Sgt. Carl T. Hale
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Selection of Lyrics from the Ye A.E.F Hymnal
  Posted 04/06/2016
- Signals Between Aeroplanes and Artillery
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Smileage Book
  Posted 09/09/2015
- Strategic Map of Central Europe, 1917
  Posted 02/11/2016
- Souvenir Miniature Wooden Shoes
  Posted 12/16/2015
- To the American Soldier in France
  Posted 08/26/2015
- Training with the Royal Flying Corps
  Posted 12/30/2015
- U.S. Army School of Military Aeronautics at The Ohio State University
  Posted 06/09/2015
- Wood from Quentin Roosevelt's Nieuport 28
  Posted 06/09/2015
- World War I Aircraft Damage Report
  Posted 06/09/2015
- World War I Aviator Pin
  Posted 04/14/2016
- World War I Binoculars
  Posted 06/23/2016
- World War I French Pneumatic Mortar Bomb
  Posted 09/30/2015
- World War I Messenger Pigeon
  Posted 06/09/2015
- World War I Pennants from French Women
  Posted 03/07/2017
  
  On April 12, 1919, a flag presentation ceremony was held in Paris in honor of the Air Service, A.E.F. Hundreds of banners, hand made by French women, were presented to representatives of the various U.S. squadrons that had served in France during WWI. Five of theses pennants are on display in the museum's Early Years Gallery. This item is currently in storage.
- World War I Reconnaissance Report
  Posted 06/09/2015
- WWI Cadet Minstrel, 3rd Aviation Instruction Center
  Posted 10/20/2016

Collection Management
Research
Restoration Projects
Featured Accessions
Donation Wish List
Donate an Item
Loan Program
Aircraft Available for Loan

Screening at Entrance
All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms*
- Knives
- Box cutters
- Food and Soda Drinks
- Alcohol
- Coolers

* Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c)

Permitted Items:
- Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.)
- Purses
- Camera bags
- Diaper bags
- Strollers
- Service animals

Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles.
Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
Visitor Photography Notice
Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.
Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.

In support of an official event

The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 25
In addition, the Fourth Hangar will be closed Saturday, May 24

Access to the Presidential Gallery will be limited from May 15 to June 5