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National Air and Space Museum Archives
Walter J. Kropf World War I Balloon Diary
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.2022.0034
- Creators:
-
Kropf, Walter J.
- Dates:
-
1918-1919, 1961-1970
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.13 Cubic feet1 flat box
- Repository:
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.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
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.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by type of material.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Walter J. Kropf served as a Balloon Pilot (Observer) with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I. Kropf received training at the Army Balloon School at Fort Omaha, Nebraska and later at Camp John Wise, Texas. Kropf served overseas in France where he participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the battles of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Kropf was honorably discharged in 1919 at the rank of second lieutenant. Kropf later served for 25 years as a civilian employee of the US Air Force including work in contract management and purchasing.
Administration
Author
Jessamyn Lloyd
Immediate Source of Acquisition
John Kropf, Gift, 2022, NASM.2022.0034
Processing Information
Arranged and described (2022) and encoded (2023) by Jessamyn Lloyd.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Preferred Citation
Walter J. Kropf World War I Balloon Diary, NASM.2022.0034, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics, Military | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Balloons | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| World War, 1914-1918 | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Diaries | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Newspaper clippings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Correspondence | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| United States. Army Air Service. American Expeditionary Forces. Balloon Section | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu
