Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #101 Posted February 7, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #102 Posted February 7, 2010 This is probably too esoteric for most but the die hards. Any one want to see more?? DJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APO472 Posted February 7, 2010 Share #103 Posted February 7, 2010 Simply Stunning! While not my area of history or research, this tribute and archive is amazing. Yes, please post more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #104 Posted February 7, 2010 I a previous photo of a letter from the LFE Foundation there was a question that about Walter making the rank of Lt. It is my belief that Walter Rheno did receive his commission from the American Air Service around the time of his death. I'm sure I have the verification somewhere in these archives. The following aluminum seal straps were on Rheno's casket when he was repatriated from France. They were removed and retained by the family. As you can see, they refer to " Lt." Rheno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #105 Posted February 7, 2010 The is his Mother's Son-in Service" flag. Note the addition if the Gold Star. This is the banner that draped Rheno's empty casket in the Tomb of the Lafayette Memorial. It remained on his casket for 6 months after the dedication on July 4, 1928. I did not really understand what this was when I received the group, but there was a letter from the Memorial Foundation to his mother explaining that it had been draped over his casket and they thought that she would appreciate having it after the ribbons were removed from the caskets. Almost every item in this grouping is explained to the researcher (me) if you look long enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #106 Posted February 7, 2010 Another letter to Winthrop Rheno in 1928 asking for information about Walter for the Memorial. This ties to the Bio. of Walters service in a previous image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #107 Posted February 7, 2010 Envelope the pervious letter was mailed in. Back of envelope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #108 Posted February 7, 2010 Some VERY RARE Booklets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share #109 Posted February 7, 2010 Wearing anyone out yet? More? DJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted February 8, 2010 Share #110 Posted February 8, 2010 Keep it coming dude! So when does the book come out? Walter and his family have done most of the work for you! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted March 7, 2011 Share #111 Posted March 7, 2011 Harmon Trophy Medal of Walter Rheno's Absolutely amazing,,,,rare beyond belief. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmon_Trophy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted March 9, 2011 Share #112 Posted March 9, 2011 Good grief Dennis :w00t: How did I miss this the first time. Wow, even though I don't collect this vintage of items it does not mean that I don't appreciate the historical significance. Where do you go from here? Unless it is Mark's Lost Battalion DSC groupings :think: Thanks for posting, Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share #113 Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks Kurt - Glad you approve. Coming from a collector like you makes is kind'a nice. DJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted March 12, 2011 Share #114 Posted March 12, 2011 Dennis, When you think of the odds that a group like this would remain intact for almot 100 years, and then end up in the hands of a true historian and collector like yourself, it boggles the mind. I mean everything is there!!! Thanks very much for posting this wonderful collection and letting us share it. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FW12 Posted March 12, 2011 Share #115 Posted March 12, 2011 I never get tired of looking at this thread... the uniform, the photos, the paperwork, sidearm, all of it, truly outstanding. What a treat. Thank you for posting! Beau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted March 23, 2011 Share #116 Posted March 23, 2011 Dennis, This is a truly outstanding group with so much detail and information it is an extreme pleasure that you continue to share more detail about it and the warrior of the sky's who gave his all to fight Tierney almost a 100 years ago. Thank you so very much for preserving this and continue to provide more information that you have. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted May 30, 2011 Share #117 Posted May 30, 2011 I never get tired of looking at this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted August 2, 2011 Share #118 Posted August 2, 2011 More please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #119 Posted September 20, 2011 At the risk of wearing folks out on this post, I am posting some more images of this suburb group. To my knowledge, this is one of the finest groups of this kind extant. I can say that with all humility, as I am only the current caretaker of this over the top Lafayette Flying Corps group. The real credit is due to the previous collector that had owned this group since he was a teenager and kept it together for more that 40 years before allowing me the privilege of ownership. The size and completeness of this group is hard to describe and has not been shown in its' entirety. The former owner is a member on this fine forum, and goes by the handle of "ottodog". We have remained friends since our first meeting and he has really been a pleasure to know. The reason for all this fluff, is due to a serious attack on his integrity after he sold me this grouping. That attack later trickled down to me. Those feelings still exist today in a few individuals that were close to the transaction between Ottodog and me. As far as I'm concerned, the matter regarding me is over. I could care less. But Ottodog deserves the credit and recognition as an upstanding individual in this sometimes petty circle of us collectors and preservationists. First and foremost, he kept this group together for over 40 years. The temptation to sell off the duplicate articles (of which there are many) in this archive, never happened. He sold it to me on my lesser offer, rather then sell it for a much greater price to another collector. As a matter of fact, I had to pass his muster before a sale would be consummated. All in all, it became a 12 hour trip and interview. I did not leave with the group. That occurred 7 days later and another 12 hour day. But getting back to the post Ottodog called me to tell me that while going through his pile of stuff that he had located some small items that belong to Walter Rheno that should have been with the group when he sold it to me well over a year ago. To reinforce my previous point; he could have sold these items to any other collector for significant monies, but he gave them to me to preserve the integrity of the group. He left what he was sending a little vague. I knew there was a small medal and not much else. Below are the following items that have now rejoined the group. Thanks Steve - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #120 Posted September 20, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #121 Posted September 20, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #122 Posted September 20, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #123 Posted September 20, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #124 Posted September 20, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share #125 Posted September 20, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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