96th vet info???

Hi,

My grandfather was Private Stephen Wyman Bartlett of the 96th aero Squadron. The only proof I have of this fact is

1) my grandmother told me before she died in 1967

2) I have a huge unit photo taken 1919 and he is in it in uniform.

3) It says so on his grave marker.

I am writing a family history and want to include my grandfather's experience in the Great War or at least piece together what it was probably like for him.

I have contacted the US army, USAF and the Veteran's administration. I run into blank walls. They have all told me that only a veterin can obtain that info. My grandfather died in 1956 indirectly from injuries sustained in combat according to my relatives. He died in a VA hospital and the Dr. told my grandmother that the official cause of death was classified information. My relatives tell me they can't get info either.

Can anyone tell me how to obtain a unit history?

Can anyone tell me how to obtain his war record?

He was born in NH and died in MA



Thanks for any help you can give!!!

[Amy]

Sorry to hear about the problems you've ran into. Research can be a harrowing experience.

I located an article written by David H. Young of the 96th Aero regarding his experiences with the squadron in Cross & Cockade journal (Summer 1971). Your grandfather wasn't mentioned in the article but not many other squadron members are either. It includes a group photo in which many aren't identified. The article also includes the area that the 96th Aero was stationed as well as a bibliography/footnotes. It's possible you could find some tidbit in this article to help you with your research.

If you're interested and don't have the article already, I can scan and email it to you.

Good luck in your search. Amy

[Gregvan]

Dear Sir,

This kind of search can be frustrating, because most unit histories, etc. concentrate solely on the flying personnel, especially officers, and the enlisted men aren't often covered.

The 96th was a very famous squadron, though, and you can find out quite a lot about its operations in such books as Wings of Honor by James J. Sloan, Jr. 1994, still available from Schiffer Publishing, and in Hostile Skies byJames J. Hudson, still fairly available from used book dealers. These won't list your grandad, however.

There was a privately printed history of the Squadron, I think, compiled by Bruce Hopper and David Young, but that's probably unobtainable. In the National Archives there is a massive collection of material collected under the general direction of Colonel E.S. Gorrell, Records Group Number 120. This is split into the broad caregories of (1) WWI Organization Records, Air Service Historical Records and (2) Air Service, AEF, History. This collection is generally known as the Gorrell Histories, and is a goldmine of info if you can access it.

The good news for you is, in 1992 the League of World War I Aviation Historians published a history of the First Day Bombardment Group called ""The First Team: Thornton D. Hooper and America's First Bombing Squadrons" by Gerald C. Thomas, Jr., ISBN:0-9634210-0-X. This is now out of print but you should be able to find one. In the appendix it has several photocopies of rosters of officers and enlisted men from the 96th, reproduced from Gorrell N-16, pp. 180-185. The rosters are annotated as correct on 20 November 1918. It is a poor photocopy, but there on page 138 of Thomas' book under "Privates" is listed Bartlett, S.W. (at least I think it's an S W).

That's about all I can do for you.

Best regards,

Greg VanWyngarden

[ONEALM]

Grandson -

Following the war, many states Adjutant's General compiled "unofficial" service records for their vets. New Jersey's records are held by the State Bureau of Archives and History and are a massive compilation of around 90% of all veterans records from all services.

New Hampshire MAY have done the same thing and if so, that would be my starting point. The contact information is:

State of New Hampshire
Division of Archives
and Records Management
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2236

As you probably know most of the WW I records archived by the National Records Center in St. Louis were destroyed in a fire in the 1970's. Normally, that would have been the first place to begin.

If the State does have the records - and that's a big if - then you may be able to get more from NRC since not all of the records were lost and they are able to reconstruct them given enough inromation to begin their search.

Try NH and ask if they have such a compilation. Their website notes they have the Revoltionary War and Civil War records - but does not mention WW I. If they do not have them, maybe they know who does.

As a note of interest - until 1980, New Jersey's records were held at a National Guard armory - not in the State archives ! The point is - check the Bureau, check the State AG, check the State Library.

Good luck,
Mike