WWI U.S. Army Air Service Officer Archive – Roland H. Swain | Aviation, Ellington Field, Hoboken Orders, Named Photos, Pilot Ephemera
Exceptional and thorough archive detailing Lt. Roland H. Swain, a U.S. Army Air Service officer. This historically rich collection spans Swain’s training, deployment, and discharge during the First World War and includes original documents, photographs, correspondence, manuals, hand written letters / personal ephemera — many named and date-specific. Even newspaper clippings that mention him and his service.
Swain trained at Ellington Field, Texas, one of the U.S. military’s primary aviation training sites during WWI. He later received deployment orders from the Port of Embarkation in Hoboken, New Jersey, with his name listed among other Signal Reserve Corps officers assigned to Army Transport for duty in France.
Contents include:
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Original Confidential Special Orders dated May 11, 1918 (Hoboken, NJ), listing Swain by name for overseas transport to France with the A.E.F.
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Signed Officer Discharge Request (Nov 1918), filled out and signed by Roland H. Swain.
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State of New Jersey Adjutant General's Letter confirming Swain’s military service and release.
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WWI “US” Triangle Aviation Shoulder Patch – Felt insignia used during flight training.
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Pilot's Book & Aviation Manual
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Thanksgiving Day 1918 Menu from the Student Officers' Mess at Ellington Field, featuring patriotic design with winged emblem.
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Multiple WWI Military Photographs:
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Named squad photo featuring Swain and fellow airmen.
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Candid images from camp life, tent encampments, and training exercises. a photo of fou biplanes in formation.
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Formal Portraits of Swain in both uniform and civilian attire.
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Original Correspondence and envelopes addressed to Swain and family in Camden, NJ, including wartime letters and post-service notes of congratulations and sympathy.
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Additional photos
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Original envelopes, forms, and wartime papers, some labeled confidential.
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Includes original, signed officer documents and scarce field-issued materials.
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Fantastic visual content spanning field life, aviation, and early military aviation culture.
This is a rare opportunity to own a very complete and personal military archive from a U.S. WWI aviator.
*Condition*
As these are antique ephemera goods, they are in fragile and variable condition, but most of the items are still in quite good shape considering their age. Some papers have rips, fold marks, or fraying. The plane photo has split into a few vertical pieces. Please closely inspect the photos provided for best indication of condition. Please reach out if you have any questions! No returns.
5L
#4
7L
JP
