Frederick Staples World War I Collection

The Frederick Staples World War I Collection is a small collection relating to the military service of Frederick Staples, who flew with the 34th Aero Squadron of the United States Army, American Expeditionary Force from 1917-1919. The collection is comprised of a photograph album and a small amount of textual materials collected by Staples during his service.

The photograph album is titled "Scrap Book" and has a black cloth cover. It includes nineteen (19) black-and-white photographs, plus nine (9) loose black-and-white photographs that were found at the front of the album. The photographs are primarily 8x10", though there are some smaller prints as well. They depict military personnel in uniform, including several group portraits in front of biplanes and hangars, as well as candid images. Staples is identified in one of the loose photographs via the caption "Fred Staples in the undershirt." He is identified via inscription in a postcard as well and is also circled/arrowed in some of the group photos. One (1) image appears to be a snapshot of the cover page of a publication "A Photographic Record: Second Aviation Instruction Center. A.E.F. France. Prepared by the Aerial Photography School."

There are also ten (10) aerial reconnaissance images of locations in France, including Verdun and Berthenicourt. The reconnaissance images include handwritten notations on the front, which highlight possible targets or points of interest, as well as printed captions identifying location and date. There is also one (1) image of a drawing titled "Leaving France - 2nd A.I.C. [Aviation Instruction Center] Returning Home (Après la Guerre)." It depicts a balloon carrying dozens of people, presumably military personnel, with a banner "24 Hrs France to New York."

Textual materials include two (2) aircraft recognition manuals, both in French; "Silhouettes d'Avions, classées par analogie," published April 1, 1916 and "Silhouettes D'Avions, Alliés et Ennemis," May 1918. Additionally, there are photocopies of the 1917 enlistment record and 1919 Honorable Discharge for Frederick Staples

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