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Walter J. Kropf served as a Balloon Pilot (Observer) with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I and later served for 25 years as a civilian employee of the US Air Force including work in contract management and purchasing. This collection consists of Kropf's diary kept during his military service in 1918, some of his military records, a news clipping from 1961 regarding Kropf meeting Joe Kittinger, and a letter to Kropf from 1970 from the National American Balloon Corps Veterans Association.
NASM.2022.0034
Kropf, Walter J.
1918-1919, 1961-1970
John Kropf, Gift, 2022, NASM.2022.0034
0.13 Cubic feet (1 flat box)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of Walter J. Kropf's diary kept during his time in service in 1918. The diary, which measures approximately 3.5 by 6 inches and has a brown leather cover, includes entries for each day of the year as well as a section of names and addresses in the back. The collection also contains Kropf's American Expeditionary Forces Officers' Identity Card which includes a photograph of Kropf in uniform and some additional biographical information including a copy of Kropf's military record and discharge certificate, a news clipping from 1961 regarding Kropf meeting Joe Kittinger, and a letter to Kropf from 1970 from the National American Balloon Corps Veterans Association.
Collection is arranged by type of material.
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Walter J. Kropf World War I Balloon Diary, NASM.2022.0034, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics, Military
Balloons
World War, 1914-1918
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Diaries
Newspaper clippings
Correspondence