Named WWI AEF Army Air Service Balloon Observer Group

A large, named group comprised of the uniform and documents of 2nd Lieutenant Lawrence Schaper, who served during World War I as a balloon observer. The group is ex Bob Ford collection, with Mr. Ford having acquired the group directly from Lt. Schaper, and it consists of the following items:

– Lt. Schaper’s uniform as an Army Air Service Balloon Observer. The uniform was tailored by Hart, Schafner & Marx. The uniform tunic is in exceptionally good condition. There is one small hole near the top of the left shoulder, the hole being smaller than the eraser on a pencil. There are a few light spots on the fabric and one small dark spot at the bottom of the left breast pocket. Aside from these points the uniform jacket is very clean. The collar carries the large winged propeller insignia of an officer of the Army Air Service, together with the “U.S.” officer insignia. Above the left pocket is a superb pin-back Army Air Service Observer half wing. The lower left sleeve carries three darkly toned silver bullion service chevrons representing service within the United States during the war. On the lower right sleeve is the small pin back wing of an Army Air Service instructor. The wing is 1 3/4 inches wide, pin back, with a drop in safety catch. The original gilt finish on the wing is quite worn. Pinned to the left upper pocket flap is the WWI service medal for the town of Park City, Utah. The breeches for the uniform are present and show more wear and use than the tunic. The breeches have several light spots and period repairs on the knees and the seat. The green wool edges of the pockets are worn through from wear. Overall, though, the breeches make a good appearance. On the interior of the waist is written “Lt. L.C. Schapner 93rd Baloon [sic] Co.”.

The group includes an extensive amount of original documentation as well as two contemporary copies of period portrait photographs of Lt. Schapner in uniform. The original documentation includes a graduation certificate from the U.S. Army Balloon School at Fort Omaha, Nebraska, for the “Ground School course of instruction” in February of 1918, as well as a Certificate of Graduation from the United States Schools of Military Aeronautics for the course of study for Balloonists in May of 1918. There is a large, loose leaf notebook that contains both printed and handwritten documents that relate to Schaper’s training as an army officer. There is a one page typed biography of Schaper which he wrote for Mr. Ford. It is signed by Schaper and dated December 5 of 1981. There is another folder in the group which contains documents, both original and some photocopies, from Schaper’s training as a balloon observer. There is a third folder containing numerous documents, both original and official onionskin copies, relating to Schaper’s service with the 93rd Balloon Company at Camp John wise in Texas in the late summer and fall of 1918. There is also a painted wooden sign reading “2nd Lt. L.C. Schaper”, which evidently hung outside of Schaper’s barracks in Texas.