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Ira F. Fravel was involved in the Army Air Service Balloon Service from the turn of the century to the 1930s. His achievements included, receiving the first wireless messages in a free balloon (May, 1911), graduation from the General Service and Staff College (Ft. Leavenworth, KS, 1904), receiving the first wireless message in a free balloon (May, 1911), service with the Expeditionary Force in France, 1917-1918, and command of the Ross Airfield in Arcadia, CA.
NASM.1991.0056
Fravel, Ira F.
1917-1932
Kathie J. Walsh, gift, 1991, 1991-0056
0.45 Cubic feet ((1 legal document box))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of the official correspondence of Ira F. Fravel, while commissioned in the infantry, and later in the Army Balloon School, Army Balloon Service and as commander of Ross Field. A significant portion of this correspondence is with Charles DeForest Chandler, aviation pioneer. There is also personal correspondence as well as photographs and newspaper clippings.
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Aeronautics
Aeronautics, Military
Balloons
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Photographs