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  • Capt. Phelps Collins

    The first member of the U.S. Air Service to die on a combat mission was Capt. Phelps Collins of Alpena, Mich. He enlisted in the French Aviation Service in May 1917 and transferred to the U.S. Air Service when America entered the war. He was assigned as a pilot to the 103rd Aero Squadron, successor

  • American Air Combat Stories

    Air combat in World War I was as varied as the people who flew and fought in the skies over Europe. The stories of four Americans and their personal effects on display at the museum illustrate their experiences. One of them was the first American serviceman to shoot down an enemy plane, and one was

  • Capt. Frederick Libby

    When the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, Capt. Frederick Libby of Sterling, Colo., was a member of the British Royal Flying Corps. To celebrate American entry into the war, he cut two streamers from a U.S. flag, tied them to the struts of his airplane, and flew them across enemy lines. After

  • Lt. Stephen W. Thompson

    The first man in U.S. military service to shoot down an enemy airplane was Lt. Stephen W. Thompson of Dayton, Ohio. Since his American squadron had not yet started flying missions, Thompson visited a nearby French bombing squadron on Feb. 5, 1918, to observe preparations for a combat flight. A

  • Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker

    Capt. Edward Rickenbacker of Columbus, Ohio, was a famous race car driver before the United States' entry into World War I. As the United States prepared to send troops to Europe, Rickenbacker was offered a position as General Pershing's chauffeur. He accepted and enlisted in the U.S.

  • Capt. William C. Lambert

    Capt. William C. Lambert of Ironton, Ohio, was the second-ranking American ace of World War I. He was officially credited with 21 1/2 air-to-air victories, only 4 1/2 victories fewer than the 26 of top American ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Lambert joined the Royal Flying Corps in Canada in 1916 and

  • Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley

    Note: This is currently off public display.Erwin R. Bleckley of Wichita, Kan., was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Kansas National Guard Field Artillery in July 1917. He was sent to France in March 1918, and when the Air Service needed artillery officers to serve as aerial observers,

  • Lt. Frank Luke Jr.

    Note: This is currently off public displayFrank Luke Jr., nicknamed "The Arizona Balloon Buster," was born in Phoenix, Ariz. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1917, learned to fly and arrived on the front in France in July 1918. Assigned to the 27th Aero Squadron, his exceptional bravery

  • Sergeant's Field Uniform, U.S. Army Air Service, WWI

     The intertwined "ASM" at the top of his left sleeve identifies him as an Air Service Mechanician. His rank is on his right sleeve, while the red chevron on his left sleeve is a postwar addition, denoting service in the Great War. This sergeant served one year overseas, as denoted by two six-month

  • Regulation U.S. Army Air Service Pilot's Flying Outfit, WWI

    The goggles, leather helmet and long leather coat were standard items, though airmen used a wide variety of styles. The silk scarf protected the pilot's neck from chafing as he constantly scanned the sky for enemy aircraft. Boots, leather leggings and riding-style breeches were standard items from