Identified WWI AEF Army Air Service Balloon Pilot Tunic with Documents – Great Wing / Ex Bob Ford Collection

The tunic was worn by Army Air Service Balloon Pilot Lieutenant Stuart Kellogg, who served in France with the American Expeditionary Force, and who was forced on multiple occasions to parachute from his balloon during aerial attacks by German fighters. The tunic was acquired directly from Lieutenant Kellogg in 1981 by noted collector Bob Ford, and the tunic is accompanied by documentation to this effect. The tunic is constructed of high quality olive green wool. The collar carries officer’s “U.S.” insignia as well as the insignia of an officer of the Army Signal Corps. On the upper left breast is a superb Balloon Pilot wing. The supurbe wing is embroidered in bullion on wool, approximately 3-1/4 inches wide, with a long reverse pin that is secured by an open “C” catch. The lower left sleeve has a single gold tape chevron for overseas service. The tunic shows signs of wear and use, but it is without stains or holes and it makes an excellent appearance. The tunic is accompanied by the photographic identification card of Lieutenant Kellogg as a member of the Aero Club of America. The card is dated September 5, 1917, and it designates Kellogg as a “Spherical Balloon Pilot”. The tunic is further accompanied by a 1981 letter from Kellogg to collector Bob Ford, and in this letter Kellogg stated that he would be sending his World War I uniform to Mr. Ford. Finally, the tunic is accompanied by several pages of research, including a photocopy of a 1918 edition of “The Gas Bag” newspaper of Fort Omaha (the site of training for Army balloon pilots), and in this newspaper details of Kellogg’s service in France are related, as reported by Lieutenant Kellogg himself. Overall the items in the group are in excellent condition and comprise an exceptionally rare group of an American balloon pilot who served in combat in France in the First World War.