Charles W. Drew Collection

Title

Charles W. Drew Collection

Description

The Charles W. Drew Collection contains correspondence, photographs, clippings, and other materials relating to the World War I career of 13th Aero Squadron pilot Charles Drew. The majority of the collection is correspondence from Drew to his mother, documenting his training and daily life in both the states and overseas, along with letters from the military and sympathetic friends during the period Drew was missing. Other materials include various military documents such as memos, identification cards, discharge papers, and award and commission certificates, as well as photographs of Drew and fellow servicemen at training and in the field.

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Date

1902-1979 (bulk dates 1917-1925)

Creator

Drew, Charles Wallace, 1896-1979

Language

English

Rights Holder

The Museum of Flight Archives

Rights

Permission to publish material from the Charles W. Drew Collection must be obtained from The Museum of Flight Archives,

Bibliographic Citation

The Charles W. Drew Collection/The Museum of Flight

Identifier

2007-02-17

Collection Organization

Collection Items

[Charles W. Drew]
Photographic portrait of Charles W. Drew, used for his American Expeditionary Forces identification card, circa 1917.

Plane News [Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 19, March 30, 1918]
Newsletter, "Plane News," Vol. 1, No. 19, March 30, 1918. Includes an article about the successes of American aviators, details about various events, and amusing anecdotes.

Women Powder Makers Happy and Zealous in Their Work [Cliping from the Public Ledger (Philadelphia), August 4, 1918]
Newspaper clipping, "Women Powder Makers Happy and Zealous in Their Work," from the Public Ledger (Philadelphia), August 4, 1918. Reports on women factory workers in the gunpowder industry during World War I. Reverse is a children's section with…

Phila. Prisoners Freed By Germans [Clipping, circa 1918]
Newspaper clipping, "Phila. Prisoners Freed By Germans," from an unidentified publication, circa 1918. Lists Philadelphia servicemen, including Charles W. Drew, recently released from German prisoner-of-war camps, circa 1918.

Major Biddle Tells How Phila. Fliers Won Fame in France [Clipping, circa 1918]
Newspaper clipping, "Major Biddle Tells How Phila. Fliers Won Fame in France," from an unidentified publication, circa 1918. Reports Major Charles J. Biddle's wartime service and his thoughts on other aviators. The article also mentions Phyllis…

Lt. Drew Heads Arriving Heroes [Clipping, January 10, 1919]
Newspaper clipping, "Lt. Drew Heads Arriving Heroes," from an unidentified publication, January 10, 1919. Reports on Charles W. Drew's wartime service and arrival home.

German Spy System Explained [Clipping, circa 1918]
Newspaper clipping, "German Spy System Explained," from an unidentified publication, circa 1918. Reports on Lieutenant Henry C. Lewis and his experiences as a prisoner of war.

[Distinguished Service Cross citation issued to Charles W. Drew, October 18, 1918]
Distinguished Service Cross citation issued to Charles W. Drew, October 18, 1918. Awards Drew the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in Flirey, France on August 15, 1918.

[Distinguished Service Cross certificate issued to Charles W. Drew, March 28, 1925]
Distinguished Service Cross certificate issued to Charles W. Drew, March 28, 1925. Awards Drew the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in Flirey, France on August 15, 1918.

[Certificate of Commission issued to First Lieutenant Charles W. Drew by the U.S. Army, January 18, 1918]
Certificate of Commission issued to First Lieutenant Charles W. Drew by the U.S. Army, January 18, 1918. Appoints Drew as a first lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Officers' Reserve Corp.
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