Skip to main content

Archives at The Museum of Flight


United States. Army. Air Service

 Organization

Historical Note

The United States Army Air Service, also known as the "Air Service" and "U.S. Air Service," was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1918 and 1926. Established as an independent and temporary branch of the U.S. War Department during World War I, it replaced the Aviation Section, Signal Corps as the nation's air force.

In 1926, the name was changed to the Army Air Corps. This lasted until 1941, when the branch changed again to be known as Army Air Forces. The last name change in 1947 and continues present-day as Unites States Air Force.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Halden H. Emrick Pilot Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 1989-02-16
Abstract

The collection contains materials relating to Halden H. Emrick's personal life and varied aviation career as a pilot's instructor during World War I, chief pilot for Curtiss-Wright and other aircraft companies, and a stunt pilot during the heyday of barnstorming in the 1920s and 1930s.

Dates: circa 1914-1975; Majority of material found within 1920-1949

Alan Lonsdale Patterson Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2021-08-03-A
Overview Alan Lonsdale Patterson worked extensively in the field of aviation from the 1920s to the 1980s. Throughout his career he worked as a barnstormer, pilot and established multiple companies that facilitated the sale of aircraft and aeronautical equipment, predominately between companies based in the United States and China. The collection represents both his professional and personal life through correspondence, photographs, business records, clippings and audiovisual materials, as well as...
Dates: 1876-2021; Majority of material found within 1920-1981

Lee M. Shelton and George W. French World War II Collection

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: 2003-07-25
Contents of the Collection The collection contains materials related to Lee M. Shelton and George W. French. Both men served during World War II, though in different military branches. Shelton was part of the Army Air Forces and his materials include photographs of military personnel and activities, such as inspections and navigational procedures; correspondence and a graduation announcement for Blythville Army Air Field. French served with the Navy and his materials include photographs of naval ships, including the...
Dates: 1939-1945

Frank Wilbur Wright Military Aviation Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 1986-01-02
Abstract

Frank Wilbur Wright (1886-1950) of Portland, Oregon spent most of his adult life in the military, with service spanning the Oregon Naval Militia, Oregon National Guard, U.S. Army Air Service, Air Corps, and Air Force, and both World Wars. The collection contains commissions, photographs, identification cards, and other materials relating to Wright's long military career.

Dates: 1911-1945

The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org