United States Air Service in World War I

World War I American Aviation/United States Air Service Summary

World War I marked the first aerial combat operations of the United States military - meaning the United States Air Service, the United States Naval Aviation and United States Marine Aviation. This took place in or over France, England, Italy, Ireland, Germany and elsewhere during World War I. The United States Air Service aviators in World War I included Eddie Rickenbacker, Raoul Lufbery, Quentin Roosevelt, Frank Luke, Joe Werner, Carl Spaatz, Everett Cook, Billy Mitchell and many others.

By the time World War I ended, the forty-five United States Air Service fighter, bomber and observation squadrons had participated in seven campaigns, claimed 781 planes and 73 balloons downed. They produced 71 aces of whom five had more than 10 victories each. They dropped 140 tons of bombs in 150 bombing runs. And in exchange, they lost 289 airplanes, 48 balloons and 237 of their own men either killed or missing in action.

United States Naval Avation and United States Marine Aviation also had their combat starts in World War I. See US Naval Aviation, United States Navy ace David Ingalls and US Marine Aviation for more information.

The Latest in World War I American Aviation...

1) My book "American Eagles" on the United States Air Service, US Naval Aviation and US Marine Aviation is now available in paperback: 390 pages, 220 photos, a first ever full list of all USAS, USN and USM squadrons, their aircraft and their bases, new maps and new sources. See American Eagles.

2) Remicourt, France, October 6-7th, 2009. Organized by American historian Jerry Hester to celebrate 50th Aero Squadron's Medal of Honor recipients Harold E. Goettler and Erwin E. Bleckley.

3) My AEF site is now live. See American Expeditionary Force

4) Learn about the Quentin Roosevelt Event in Chateau-Thierry 2010.

Archives/Relative Finder/Help

Trying to find out more about father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, a World War I pilot's headstone in a cemetery, what aero squadron they were in, etc? We have helped about 100 people so far. We have lots of resources we can use to try to help you get the information you need about USAS pilots, USAS Aero Squadrons, books to read, Aero Squadron histories and more. Click E-Mail Us and either Mike or Narayan will get back to you. We're glad to help. And it's free! Back to Top.