This is an Enlisted Aviator tunic from a Sgt that served at one of the training fields near Dallas, Texas 1918.
A number of years ago a very elderly lady walked into the main office at the University of Texas Library, she set a brown paper bag on the secretarys desk and stated that this belonged to my husband and I don't want to throw it away so perhaps you can use it. The University of Texas has an extensive library concerning WW1 Aviation but they are mainly interested in the paper aspect of the early aviation such as books and documents and not much interest in actual uniforms. The bag was unnamed and before they could extract any further information the woman had departed. The bag set on the floor next to shelves of books for years until I happen to be strolling through one day back in 1991. Something told me to open the bag and when I did I was stunned. Crumpled in the bag was this custom made tunic with enlisted aviators wing on the right sleeve and an enlisted cap. After much haggling back and forth a trade was made and the University acquired some rare documentation on US WW1 Aviation and I acquired this magnificant tunic.
It is a light weight wool custom made tunic with M-1902 white Sgt stripes (somewhat moth eaten) and no provision for or indication of collar insignia ever having been applied. Above the Sgt chevron is a beautiful Bullion Enlisted Aviator Four bladed winged prop. On the left sleeve are three silver stateside service stripes. This is the only bullion enlisted aviator that I have seen. There were several enlisted aviators at Ellington Field and I suspect a few at the other training fields in the ares. Unfortunately they are not well documented and until I find a picture of a enlisted aviator wearing this particular tunic it shall go unnamed.
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