Named Painted WWI Flight helmets

[B24AT6]

I just picked these up today at a local show and would like some help identifying the officer that owned these. Both helmets are soft leather and made by Spalding and have information about the owner painted onto them. One helmet also has a beautifully rendered set of wings painted across the front.

 

Both are named to a Captain John H. Hunter US Air Service AEF.

 

The first helmet which has Captain Hunter's name marked twice, once as a first lieutenant and then as a Captain:

 

 

[B24AT6]

 

[B24AT6]

 

[B24AT6]

The second helmet that has the wings painted across the front and the Captains name on the side:

 

 

[B24AT6]

 

[B24AT6]

 

[Austin_Militaria]

Killer helmets!

 

There is this John H. Hunter

 

http://archives.savannahnow.com/sav_pdf_archive/text/fr271/C_2348319.pdf

 

 

Gen. John H. Hunter II
BfcAUMONT, Pa. - Brig. Gen. John
Heard Hunter II, W, died Sept. IS.
He was born in Savannah and lived in
Beaumont after living in VUlanova for
many years. He attended the U.S. Naval
Academy, the University of Virginia and
graduated from the University of Pennsylvania
School Of Architecture in 1923.
He served in World Wars I and II. He was
commissioned as a first lieutenant in 1918
and transferred to the Air Service in 1919,
serving hi France in World War I. He was
awarded one Battle Star in the French
General Service, Engage VoluntaJre. He
was the cousin of Maj. Gen. Frank O.D
"Monk" Hunter, who headed the American
Expeditionary Force in England and
for whom Hunter Army Air Field was
named. He served as a pilot with the
First Fighter Command in India and subsequently
with Intelligence 52 Western
Air Defense in Burma. He was on assignment
to escort Madam Chiang Kai Shek
across India for a meeting with President
Roosevelt. He was highly decorated,
earning two Battle Stars and a Bronze
Star with two citations He was discharged
a brigadier general. He was a
member of the Army and Navy dub,
Merion Cricket Club, Philadelphia Racquet
Club and St Anthony, First Troop
Philadelphia City Cavalry, Military Order
of Foreign Wars and a director of the
Valley Forge Historical Society.
Surviving are his wife, Spptswood H.
Hunter II of Beaumont; a sister, Mrs.
Abram Minus Jr. of Savannah; and several
nieces and nephews.
Funeral: was held Monday at St. David's
Episcopal Church in Wayne, burial
in St. David's Episcopal Church Cemetery.
Remembrances: Valley Forge Historical
Society, Box 122, Valley Forge, Pa.
19*81,
Stuard Funeral Home.

[B24AT6]

Killer helmets!

 

There is this John H. Hunter

 

http://archives.savannahnow.com/sav_pdf_archive/text/fr271/C_2348319.pdf

 

 

Thanks so much, that is a pretty good lead!

[mr_lits]

Great helmets and background as well. Thanks for sharing.

[B24AT6]

I believe the General is the original owner of these helmets, based off his GA Service Card. It indicates he was an observer in the Air Service in WWI, and on the first helmet helmet he calls himself an observer. He was overseas from August 27th 1918 to May 7th 1919.

 

[BEAST]

Those are great looking helmets even without the documentation. But with it, fantastic pieces of aviation history!

[AZPhil]

Fantastic helmets.

I really like the second one with the painted wings. Just an excellent piece of early military aviation history!!

Congrat's

Semper Fi

Phil

[theguiltyone]

Amazing pick ups!

The second example with the painted wings is particularly awesome.

Thanks for the share.

 

Marc

[JDK]

I agree with Mark. That 2nd helmet is really great!

 

JD