US WWI, Identified USAS Aviators Uniform, Equipment & Insignia Grouping, France 1918
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: $2995.00

Original period manufacture. A terrific grouping identified to a young American aviator who went to France in 1918. Although he did not see front line service, he was in advanced training at Issoudun France as a Pursuit Pilot prior to November 11th. In 1963, he wore this very uniform for a photo-op at Sault Ste Marie Air Base USAF, posing with a then current USAF Fighter Pilot and his Jet Aircraft. Lawrence Burton Hadley, Lieutenant USAS. Born 11 February 1897 in Indianapolis In. Enlisted on 1 December 1917 at Chicago, and graduated from University of Texas at Austin 23 February 1918. He received preliminary flying training in the Standard at Call Field, Wichita Falls Texas 14 March-23 May 1918. Received RMA rating and commissioned a 2nd Lt. 23 May 1918. Received advanced combat flying training in the JN-42 at Brooks Field San Antonio Tx, 22 June-2 August 1918 and attended Armorer's School at Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton Ohio, 6-31 August 1918. Sent to France and received advanced combat flying training in the Avro and Nieuport series at the 3rd AIC (solo flying, basic aerobatics, cross-country instruction) Issoudun France, 10 November 21 December 1918. He returned to the USA and was discharged at Garden City L.I. NY on 24 February 1919. He died on 30 September 1980. His grouping includes the following, brown leather flying helmet named to him, white silk scarf, two pairs of goggles, one a boxed French pair, shown being worn in the 1963 photos, two officers overseas hats one piped in Air Service black & green, the other a British pattern, his officers visor hat, a Canadian made Sam Browne belt, 1910 pattern US Army officers tunic (worn in the 1963 photos), with original embroidered Aviator wings, and embroidered winged props on the collars (one is loose and in a pocket). A pair of light tan whipcord breeches, shown being worn by him in the photos, his black leather flying gloves. A nice selection of period ephemera to include documents, ID books, extra insignia and a series of photos of him taken at the USAF base in 1963.One of those photos has a period inscription on the reverse, telling of him appearing wearing leather puttees and old shoes as his original riding boots (included with the group) were too small for him. Overall the grouping is in excellent condition, no moth issues to report, all leather is pliable, two buttons are missing from the tunic and that is about all.