US WWI Gasmask & Carrier, 11th Balloon Company, Identified
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $175.00

Original era manufacture.Standard issue AEF service gasmask of WWI.The hose appears intact, and somewhat flexible, with the face mask pliable as the inner rubber lining has petrified from age, crumbling into fragments.The flutter valve is missing of course, the issue card and repair tape is present. On the exterior of the canvas body is a stenciled unit designation; 11th Bal. Co. 202. Inked on to the inside of the flap is the name of Charles Pilant, Omaha Neb, 11th Balloon. The 11th Balloon Company saw active frontline service during WWI. There is an interesting article online published by the Cincinnati Enquirer in November 2016, regarding the service of 1st Lieutenant James A.McDevitt, who served as an Observer with the 11th Balloon Company.On October 5-6 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, attacked by German aircraft, he was forced to bail out from beneath his observation balloonno less than three times; the third leap, narrowly escaping death when the balloon burst into flames. His life was sparedthanks to the quick action of the ground crew below,who pulled the flaming balloon twenty feet away from McDevitt; he felt the heat from the flames as he parachuted to safety.For his bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing.