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Wallace Downs McCrane (1896-1975) enlisted on 14 December 1917, and arrived at Kelly Field on 26 December 1917. After his training at Kelly Field was completed, McCrane was sent to England and assigned to the 153rd Aero Squadron. In September of 1918 he was then transferred to France, where he became a member of the 224th Aero Squadron. In both squadrons, McCrane both flew as an observer and was a Signal Electrician. He returned to the United States in 1919, and after his discharge began his career at Exide Batteries as a metallurgist. McCrane also joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary during World War II and patrolled the Philadelphia Port / Delaware River.

 Identifier

NASM.1999.0007

Creator

McCrane, Wallace Downs, 1896-1975

Date

1918-1924

Provenance

Edna McCrane and Marion Wolanek, gift, 1998, 1999-0007, unknown

Extent

0.45 Cubic feet ((1 legal document box))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the following items relating to the World War I aviation career of Wallace McCrane: two oversized rolled photographs of the 153rd and 224th Aero Squadrons; photographs; postcards; military orders; book, entitled 'Collected Materials for the Study of War'; reunion materials; and letters / postcards from a WWI Belgian Soldier to Edna Pick (the future Mrs. McCrane.)

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Topics

World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations

World War, 1914-1918

Air pilots

Aeronautics, Military

Aeronautics

Aerial reconnaissance

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Postcards

Publications

Correspondence