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
 

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.

Featured Artifact of the Week
Balloon Mechanic Patch Balloon Mechanic Patch
This insignia was worn by U.S. balloon mechanics in the Air Service's Balloon Section during World War I. U.S. balloon mechanics were trained in Europe by specialists from French balloon units, which had been in service for approximately 10 years prior. Maintaining balloons was an important requirement, as balloons were used in WWI primarily for day and night observation (locating targets and tracking activity behind enemy lines), as well as regulating artillery fire.

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Past Featured Accessions
1st Aero Squadron Panoramic Photo 1st Aero Squadron Panoramic Photo
9th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne 9th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
17th Aero Squadron Insigne 17th Aero Squadron Insigne
95th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne 95th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
135th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne 135th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
147th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne 147th Aero Squadron Aircraft Insigne
Anti-Aircraft Unit Patch Anti-Aircraft Unit Patch
Arctic/Cold Weather Balloon Anchor Arctic/Cold Weather Balloon Anchor
Aviation Section Aviation Mechanic Patch Aviation Section Aviation Mechanic Patch
Aviation Section Enlisted Patch Aviation Section Enlisted Patch
Boots and Gaiters for the War Ad "Boots and Gaiters for the War" Advertisement
DH-4 Data Plate DH-4 Data Plate
First Aero Squadron Independence Day Menu Independence Day Menu, First Aero Squadron
International Committee of the Red Cross Prisoner of War Items International Committee of the Red Cross Prisoner of War Items
Lafayette Escadrille Pin Lafayette Escadrille Pin
Liberty Bond and War Saving Stamps Leaflets Liberty Bond and War Saving Stamps Leaflets
Lt. Col. William Thaw Drawing Lt. Col. William Thaw Drawing
Lt. Frank S. Ennis Lt. Frank S. Ennis and the 147th Aero Squadron
Lt. Howard G. Mayes Prisoner of War Correspondence Lt. Howard G. Mayes Prisoner of War Correspondence
King George V Letter to American Troops King George V Letter to American Troops
Mexican Border Service Medal Mexican Border Service Medal
Neutrality League Announcement No. 2, 1914 Neutrality League Announcement No. 2, 1914
Quentin Roosevelt Nieuport 28 Souvenirs Quentin Roosevelt Nieuport 28 Souvenirs
The Rhine and its Legends The Rhine and its Legends
Scrapbook Photos of Master Sgt. Carl T. Hale Scrapbook Photos of Master Sgt. Carl T. Hale
Wood from Quentin Roosevelt's Nieuport 28 Wood from Quentin Roosevelt's Nieuport 28
World War I Aircraft Damage Report World War I Aircraft Damage Report
World War I Messenger Pigeon World War I Messenger Pigeon
World War I Reconnaissance Report World War I Reconnaissance Report

Click here to learn about other Featured Accessions at the museum.

Click here to return to the 100th Anniversary of WWI index.