Original U.S. WWI Named Enlisted Pilot 26th Aero Squadron 3rd Air Park Aviation Warrant Officer Uniform Jacket & Breeches with Victory Ribbon & Wound Stripe
-
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very interesting identified pilot’s uniform that did at one point have a set of pilot’s wings above the left breast pocket. This appears to have belonged to a combat-torn pilot who was wounded in the air and transferred to the 26th Aero Instruction Squadron of the 3rd Air Park.
In the pocket of this uniform is a note reading:
CADET UNIFORM OF THE MEN
IN THE LAFAYETTE ESQUADRILLE
IN TRAINING W.W.I, WORN BY
J. BRINTON YOUNG 1918
We believe this to be an incorrect identification, at least of the unit. This uniform belonged to Jess Brinton Young, who enlisted in the Regular Army on May 10th, 1917, being assigned to the 31st Aero Squadron. He left for France on August 23rd, 1917, as a Private. While overseas he was transferred to the 26th Aero Squadron (Instruction). While with this unit, Young, as he described in his War Service Record, worked his way from the rank to be a regular pilot in Europe contingent. This may indicate that he flew under the French or British, but we have found no record of this.
There are many examples of enlisted men who became pilots in the AEF without being commissioned as an officer, so this is not impossible. The black stripes on Young’s uniform indicate he was in Officer Candidate School. We have seen this on one other uniform before, and it was also to a high-ranking enlisted man in an Air Park. Young’s service record also notes that he was wounded while flying which is the reason for the wound chevron on his uniform. Whether this was a combat-wound or a training wound we cannot say for sure. His uniform bears a Victory ribbon with five campaign stars, so he certainly flew combat missions at one point, but this is not noted in his record. There is a shadow next to the ribbon where his pilot’s wings originally were, but they are now gone.
His uniform is a private-purchase example, likely French-made, and bears patches of the 3rd Air Park on the left shoulder, and the 26th Aero Squadron on the right shoulder. This was commonly done by enlisted men. His collar has U.S. & Aviation collar insignia, but the left aviation insignia is missing the propeller. On his left sleeve are an honorable discharge chevron and four overseas chevrons, indicating two years overseas. Young was only overseas for 23 months, but we have seen several uniforms before where soldiers would “round up” to wear another chevron, which is definitely the case here.
The jacket comes with its original breeches which are in fair shape but have some mothing damage across and a period repair in the pocket.
This is one of the most interesting pilot’s uniforms from the First World War we have offered. It is definitely a great candidate for further research. Comes ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14.5”
Chest width: 17.5”
Waist width: 16.5"
Hip width: 20.5”
Front length: 31"
Pants:
Waist: 15"
Inseam: 25.5"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
