27th Aero Squadron Scrapbook [Nathan Blumberg]

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a scrapbook compiled by Nathan Blumberg which mainly documents the activities of the 27th Aero Squadron during World War I. Photographs in the scrapbook include images of members of the squadron; graves of some of the pilots killed in action; aircraft including the SPAD XIII (S.13), Dorand Type A.R.2 A2, Nieuport 28 C18, and the de Havilland (Airco) D.H.4; and views of various locations in France. The images are captioned by Blumberg. The scrapbook also includes some military records, poems, news clippings, and photographs and memorabilia from the squadron's reunions in 1966 and 1973. A number of news clippings in the scrapbook relate to Frank Luke, Jr., a pilot from the 27th Aero Squadron who was killed in action during World War I and was awarded the Medal of Honor. The scrapbook also contains some clippings about Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker and some of Blumberg's enlistment records from World War II.

Arrangement

The scrapbook in this collection is in original order. The collection also contains some loose items which are housed separately.

Biographical / Historical

Nathan Blumberg (1897--1982) enlisted in the US Army Air Service at Fort Slocum, New York on November 27, 1917 and was initially attached to the 233rd Aero Squadron before being transferred to the 659th Aero Squadron in December 1917. In February 1918, Blumberg was attached to the 27th Aero Squadron and remained with that unit, serving in France from February 1918 until March 1919 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of corporal. Blumberg re-enlisted in the US Army Air Forces in October 1942 and served during World War II as a warrant officer.