The Arthur E. Easterbrook Collection contains photographs, clippings, and paper ephemera relating to Easterbrook's life and military career. The small collection relates primarily to Easterbrook's service in the U.S. Air Service during World War I, with a few items illustrating his continued service in the early Air Force.
Dates
- circa 1918-1952
Creator
- Easterbrook, Arthur E., 1893-1952 (Person)
Language of Materials
All materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.
Conditions Governing Use
The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 legal size folder)
Abstract
Arthur E. Easterbrook (1893-1950) held a long career with the U.S. Air Force, beginning as an observer during World War I and later as a recruiter and commanding officer at numerous bases. The collection contains photographs, clippings, and paper ephemera relating to Easterbrook's life and military career.
Biographical Note
Arthur E. Easterbrook was born in Amsterdam, New York on November 4, 1893 to Major E. P. Easterbrook and his wife. He enlisted in the Army in 1917, then transferred to the Air Service in May 1918. He was sent to France and served with the Royal Air Force before being reassigned to the 1st Observation Squadron in August 1918. He flew as an observer on Salmson 2A2 aircraft and according to news reports was the only observer to be credited an ace during the American participation in the war. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with the oak leaf cluster for his service during the St. Mihiel offensive, as well as the Purple Heart and the Croix de Guerre.
After the war, Easterbrook served in the Air Service in various capacities at Kelly Field (Texas), the Philippines, Duncan Field (Texas), the Office of the Chief of the Air Corps (Washington D.C.), and Wright Field (Ohio). He briefly retired from the Army in 1939, only to be called back to active duty in 1940. He served as a recruiter and commanding officer at various bases, and retired in 1946. He received the Legion of Merit for his training and recruiting efforts in 1945.
On January 20, 1950, Easterbrook was severely injured in a fall, which resulted in paralysis. He died on July 24, 1952 in Long Beach, California.
Sources and further reading:
Biography derived from collection materials.
U.S. Air Force. "Brigadier General Arthur E. Easterbrook." http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/108060/brigadier-general-arthur-e-easterbrook.aspx
After the war, Easterbrook served in the Air Service in various capacities at Kelly Field (Texas), the Philippines, Duncan Field (Texas), the Office of the Chief of the Air Corps (Washington D.C.), and Wright Field (Ohio). He briefly retired from the Army in 1939, only to be called back to active duty in 1940. He served as a recruiter and commanding officer at various bases, and retired in 1946. He received the Legion of Merit for his training and recruiting efforts in 1945.
On January 20, 1950, Easterbrook was severely injured in a fall, which resulted in paralysis. He died on July 24, 1952 in Long Beach, California.
Sources and further reading:
Biography derived from collection materials.
U.S. Air Force. "Brigadier General Arthur E. Easterbrook." http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/108060/brigadier-general-arthur-e-easterbrook.aspx
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Existence and Location of Copies
Materials from this collection have been digitized and are available at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections.
Separated Materials
The following items have been separated from the archival component of this collection and are kept in Objects storage:
- U.S. Air Service Command Pilot Wings military pin
- U.S. Air Service colonel insignia military pin
- Beta Phi Sigma lapel pin
- Odd Fellows medal
Creator
- Easterbrook, Arthur E., 1893-1952 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Arthur E. Easterbrook Collection
- Status
- Completed - Level 4
- Author
- A. Demeter
- Date
- 2017
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Sponsor
- Processing, cataloging and digitization of this collection was made possible by a Council on Libraries and Information Resources (CLIR) "Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives" grant.
- Edition statement
- 1st Edition
Revision Statements
- November 2018: Finding aid migrated to ArchivesSpace.
Repository Details
Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository
Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874
curator@museumofflight.org
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874
curator@museumofflight.org