USAS officers personnel records

vb136 · 12 February 2006, 12:50 AM

I am searching for information on how to find personnel records of USAS officers. I am aware of the fire in the National Archives in 1973, which destroyed many files.
Specifically, I would like to find out more about a number of officers, who served with French escadrilles in 1918, as the information I have, taken from books, lack details about escadrille-assigment.
Any information is appreciated.

ONEALM · 12 February 2006, 06:59 AM

VB -

You need to get a copy of the "Boal Report" also titled "History of Aerican Personnel with the Allied Aviaiton Units"l. I do not know it's provenence, but it contains a fairly complete list of USAS officers assigned to French units and those assigned to the RAF & British Independant Force. I have a copy, but it is a multi-generation photo copy oiginally from micro-fiche and would not reproduce well at all. Parts are unreadable even in my own copy.

Maybe some other forumite (Billy9 are you out there ?) would know where this report came from originally.

Alternatively, you could use John Sloan's book "wings of Honor" as a basis. I find his book fair reference, with some innaccuracies, but it should help get you pointed in the right direction.

If you cannot come up with a copy of the book PM me and I'll photocopy the relavent chapter(s) and send them along via snail mail.

Keep at it,
Mike