I just purchased this photograph of Army Pilots who were trained at "Ohio State School of Military Aeronautics".

 

According to an online site, the school trained about 2,000 pilots.

 

This particular class is "Squadron 9" and was photographed 28 AUG 1917.

 

The shoulder insignia has me confused. I have seen similar insignia worn by enlisted pilots on the right shoulder. Was this some sort of probationary wing, civilian wing, or did it serve some other purpose?

 

Any thoughts on the wing or the "TC" patches would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Scott

 

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the wing.

 

Sorry not a great deal of detail to the image.

 

Scott

 

"USTC" is for United States Training Camp. That is the first image I have seen of it being worn. There is a collar disc, too. I have never been certain what these were for. Perhaps it was worn by those at non-Army activities doing training for the Army.

Nice Photo !!!!

Thanks atb-- I appreciate the input.

 

Any thoughts on the wings?

 

Scott

I've had a couple versions of these photos of aviation cadets at Ohio State.

 

They are basically like ROTC, but some of these guys are early enough (1917) that if you research individual names, some of them had interesting service during the war....at least that was true of my similar photos.

 

I've seen those wings before, but I do not know the official name for them.

I've had a couple versions of these photos of aviation cadets at Ohio State.

 

They are basically like ROTC, but some of these guys are early enough (1917) that if you research individual names, some of them had interesting service during the war....at least that was true of my similar photos.

 

I've seen those wings before, but I do not know the official name for them.

 

Thanks.

 

The training course was significantly shorter-- 8 weeks of instruction according to the Ohio State web site:

 

https://aviation.osu.edu/about-us/history

 

 

Scott

Thanks to all for looking and commenting.

 

Any additional thoughts on the wing are appreciated.

 

Scott

Nice find!

The wing is for an Enlisted Aviator, generally worn on the right upper sleeve. Very interesting to see it on the mid left sleeve.

Thanks Daniel. It does look like the enlisted aviator wing, but it is not worn the same; and none of the guys wearing it are identified as EMs.

 

The guy front and center on the propeller is identified as SGT F. L. Smith, but he isn't wearing one of the wings.

 

Scott

I think Dan has it.

 

One thing about collecting WW1 is you commonly find that regulations were often misunderstood--or not followed at all.

 

This is particularly true with Air Service as the entire early period only spanned about 18 months.

 

The Enlisted Aviator Insignia was only approved by the War Department 15 August 1917. This picture was only taken 13 days later! Being Ohio, and not being too far from Washington, DC (to actually get the promulgated regulations), Wright Field (a concentration of Air Service personnel) and M.C. Lilley (who could manufacture the insignia), These Enlisted/cadet instructors at Ohio State may have been among the very first to wear it!

 

To be certain, these men may not have actually been Enlisted Aviators--and may simply have misinterpreted the brand new regulations to say that as "instructors" of aviation cadets they were able to wear the badge? We will never know. The early regulations only provided for three categories of enlisted personnel: Aviators, Mechanicians, and all others.

 

Compounding the confusion, none of the earliest Enlisted Aviators were ever officially awarded ratings as "Enlisted Aviator" by the War Department. This in spite of the fact that many of them held Aero Club of America ratings and did indeed fly aircraft. Apparently, during the 18 months of the war, Enlisted Aviators were essentially a local phenomenon. No doubt, their Commander authorized wear of the badge. It seems that in most cases Enlisted Aviators were given reserve commissions as 2nd Lieutenants.

 

After the war, some Reserve officers reverted to their permanent enlisted rank and there are many post-war variations of Enlisted Aviator insignia wear. But since this photo was taken 28 August 1917, I only mention the post-war period to show that even years later, there continued to be confusion as to the wear of Enlisted Aviator insignia.

 

Chris

I think Dan has it.

 

One thing about collecting WW1 is you commonly find that regulations were often misunderstood--or not followed at all.

 

This is particularly true with Air Service as the entire early period only spanned about 18 months.

 

The Enlisted Aviator Insignia was only approved by the War Department 15 August 1917. This picture was only taken 13 days later! Being Ohio, and not being too far from Washington, DC (to actually get the promulgated regulations), Wright Field (a concentration of Air Service personnel) and M.C. Lilley (who could manufacture the insignia), These Enlisted/cadet instructors at Ohio State may have been among the very first to wear it!

 

To be certain, these men may not have actually been Enlisted Aviators--and may simply have misinterpreted the brand new regulations to say that as "instructors" of aviation cadets they were able to wear the badge? We will never know. The early regulations only provided for three categories of enlisted personnel: Aviators, Mechanicians, and all others.

 

Compounding the confusion, none of the earliest Enlisted Aviators were ever officially awarded ratings as "Enlisted Aviator" by the War Department. This in spite of the fact that many of them held Aero Club of America ratings and did indeed fly aircraft. Apparently, during the 18 months of the war, Enlisted Aviators were essentially a local phenomenon. No doubt, their Commander authorized wear of the badge. It seems that in most cases Enlisted Aviators were given reserve commissions as 2nd Lieutenants.

 

After the war, some Reserve officers reverted to their permanent enlisted rank and there are many post-war variations of Enlisted Aviator insignia wear. But since this photo was taken 28 August 1917, I only mention the post-war period to show that even years later, there continued to be confusion as to the wear of Enlisted Aviator insignia.

 

Chris

 

Thanks Chris, I appreciate your thoughts. Makes sense based on the time period of the photo/ creation of the badge.

 

What makes you think that these are instructors vice students? Based on the ID of the Sqaudron number, I would suspect that these were the actual students or cadets.

 

The SGT in the center (only one with a rank ID) is most likely in charge of this squadron.

 

Thanks again!

 

Scott

Scott,

 

Good point, it made sense in my head.. When I wrote "instructors" I was thinking"cadet instructors" what today might be called class leaders.

 

The Sergeant may also be a "class leader sergeant" as I cannot make out any stripes (although it might just be the angle of his sleeve)...

 

Something similar may have been going on in their heads. They thought they were "enlisted" (cadets) to be "aviators" so maybe they misinterpreted the brand new regs and took it upon themselves to wear the new insignia? Either way, the commander of the detachment allowed the insignia to be worn.

 

In the end though, it is an early photograph taken 13 days after the insignia was authorized. it is likely that there was a good deal of confusion about the who, what, when, and where with respect to this insignia.

 

Chris

Thanks again Chris.

 

I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

 

I am glad to learn that this image is one of the earliest examples of the enlisted aviator wing in photographs (even if wear is not per regulation)!

 

Scott

Nice piece of history. Thanks for sharing!