July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Excellent, attributed World War I US Army Signal Corps, Aviation Section Pilot Uniform. The uniform is attributed by an old piece of paper which was folded in the upper left pocket which reads "Lt Col. Charles C. Benedict Commandant 2nd Corps Aero School." Charles Calvert Benedict was born in Hastings, Nebraska, on February 12, 1890 and entered the United States Military Academy in 1911. Shortly after graduation in 1915, he transferred to the Aviation Section, Signal Corps, and finished his flight training at San Diego in the spring of 1917 and was sent overseas in January 1918. His first command was the Cadet Detachment at Saint Maixent and was later sent to the Third Aviation Instruction Center at Issondum. During his station at the largest pilot school in the American Expeditionary Force, he was first in command of the Headquarters Detachment and later in charge of flying. In August 1918, when the American Expeditionary Force was preparing for the Argonne offensive, Major Benedict received orders for the Zone of Advance. He had hoped to have command of a squadron at the front, but was sent instead to the Second Corps Aero School at Chatillon-sur-Seine, as Director and in November, promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. Following the armistice he held the posts of commanding officer, Trier Airdrome, Germany, Air Service Commander, Third Corps and Air Service Commander, Seventh Corps. The latter command took him to Neuwied, Germany, from which station he returned to the United States in August 1919. He later graduated the Air Corps Engineering School and spent time at McCook (now Wright) Field and narrowly escaped death during a practice parachute jump. Orders later came assigning Major Benedict to the Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia where he would meet his fate. Death met Benedict while he was attempting an aerial attack on a captive balloon, crashing on the airdrome in sight of his friends and students from an altitude between 800-1000 feet. The scene was described in a newspaper article "Maj. Benedict's body was badly crushed and his machine splintered by the impact". The tunic is handsome, and worthy of a career officer such as Benedict. The jacket features The uniform is constructed of high quality OD green wool with a tan liner. The collar features a mismatched set of "U.S." collar insignia, one is marked, the other is not. The catches were period bent in order to prevent insignia falling off the uniform. There is a nice set of Signal Corps Aviation Section insignia with very nice bullion Lt. Col. Oak leaf clusters on each epaulette. The left shoulder features a wool II Corps patch, while the lower left sleeve exhibits 2 gold overseas chevrons. The highlight of the uniform is the left breast, which features an excellent pilot wing. The wing is finely detailed, featuring lush bullion feathers and a shield with gold bullion letters "US" sewn perfectly in the center. The wings were applied on black wool, measure approximately 3-1/4", and are sewn above 1/2" WWI Victory ribbon with one campaign star. The uniform features all of its original brass Great Seal "Veggie" buttons. CONDITION: The jacket is very well preserved and displays nicely. Almost no mothing noticed with a few scattered nips and light scuffs. Lining is in very good condition with a few areas of loose stitching. Overall excellent. The uniform is accompanied by a sleeve of research compiled by our researcher which details Benedict's life and service. PROVENANCE: Roger Bender Collection. JLD
Item Dimensions: 15" X 15"