Robert Emery Richmond appears to have served during World War I with the 371st Aero Squadron, though it is unclear if he remained with the squadron for his entire service. Both photographs in the Museum's collection include the inscription "A.E.F." (American Expeditionary Force) on the reverse, suggesting that Richmond traveled with the squadron to Europe.

Richmond was born January 12, 1886 in Alvarado, California. Prior to and after his military service he worked as a bookkeeper for Crown Willamette Paper Company. He registered for military service on June 5, 1917. He died September 5, 1950 in San Francisco, California. No further information about Richmond is known.

Biographical note derived from collection materials, donor information, and records on Ancestry.com.

The U.S. Army Air Service 371st Aero Squadron was organized in January 1918 at Waco, Texas and was sent to Hazelhurst Field, New York shortly thereafter. In February it was stationed at Garden City, New York, then in March at the Port of Embarkation in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The few sources on this squadron's history suggest that the squadron traveled overseas at this time, and was assigned as Services of Supply troops for the rear. They remained until May 1919, likely as support for the post-war occupation. They returned home and were demobilized at Mitchell Field, New York in June 1919.

The 371st is one of the less documented squadrons of the World War, and it is unknown if Robert Richmond remained with the squadron for his entire service. While the source of these photos did not believe Richmond had served overseas, both photos include the inscription "A.E.F." (American Expeditionary Force) on the reverse, which suggests that Richmond did travel with the squadron to Europe. Because the squadron was assigned to the Services of Supply branch, they would not have seen combat.



Source:

Center of Military History, United States Army. Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War - Zone of the Interior: Directory of Troops, vol. 3, pt. 3. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1988.