Carroll Bunch Photograph Collection

World War I marked America's first venture into aerial combat operations.  American Expeditionary pilots fought in France, England, Italy, Ireland, and Germany throughout the war. By the time World War I ended, forty five United States Air Service fighter, bomber, and observation squadrons had participated in seven campaigns, dropped one hundred and forty tons of bombs, and claimed over nine hundred kills.

Among the collections chosen for digitization this year is a series of photographs compiled by Carroll H. Bunch. Bunch, an Oakwood, Missouri native, served in the 149th, 1107th, and 1102nd Aero Squadrons during World War I. His photograph collection, which details his aerial service, is now held by The State Historical Society of Missouri. Below we have included a few of the highlights of the collection.

149th Aero Squadron, SHS P75

Mechanics, SHS P75

Air hangar in France, SHS P75

Carroll Bunch (left) in an airplane in France, SHS P75

Sources:

American Aviators of World War I. (http://www.usaww1.com/index.php4)

Bunch, Carroll H.Collection. P75. The State Historical Society of Missouri.