AEF Aero Squadron War Diaries

Steve Brew · 10 December 2025, 12:11 AM

Are AEF Aero Squadron war diaries available online?

Specifically, I am seeking 25th AS for Q4/1918, and potentially a few other units. Is there a generally policy on their release or a place were they're available?

I have a look at the US National Archives website and although the were a few docs that mentioned 25th AS, none appeared to be war diaries. Mind you, some documents were in the catalogue but they were not available online, so their content was unclear. (https://catalog.archives.gov/search?...%20Squadron%22)

What I am trying to establish is when a few officers joined the unit, and I was hoping the war diary might tell me. Open to suggestions, though.

Thanks
Steve

regular122 · 10 December 2025, 04:23 AM

Gorrell's history includes a 10 page history of the 25th Aero that includes a pilot, officer and soldier roster up to 12 Dec 1918 but does not include dates of assignment or departure. The narrative mentions some assignments but not always dates. Sloan in his 'Wings of Glory' also shows a wartime and postwar make up of assignments with dates and fates of those assigned or attached but there is not a digital version that I am aware of.

Who specifically are you looking for?

Steve

Steve Brew · 10 December 2025, 02:57 PM

Hi Steve, thanks for your reply

I am trying to establish when Donald Andrew Wilson joined 25 AS and when he left. I know he was with the unit as he appears in a well-known photo of the pilots.

He and Eugene Barksdale both left 41 Sqn RAF to join the AEF at Orly on 13 Oct 18. I know when Barksdale was posted to 25 AS, but I'm unsure whether Wilson was posted to the Squadron on the same date, how long he was with the unit, or whether he served on another prior to being shipped home in late Jan/early Feb 1919.

A side question for you... commissionings into the RAF appeared in the London Gazette. Did the same occur in a U.S. gazette for those in the AEF and, if so, where can I find them, please?

Thanks
Steve

regular122 · 11 December 2025, 07:24 PM

Hi Steve. I'll take a look at Wilson and when he arrived at the 25th. I did find him in the group photos. From the Squadron History, it states that soon after the Armistice several commissioned officers began to arrive and lists Wilson:

Soon after this the Commissioned personnel began to arrive. 1st
Lieuts. Donald S. Poler, W. W. Lauer, and F. E. Luff, were appointed Flight Commanders, and the following Pilots assigned and reported:

1st Lieuts. Donald S. Poler, Willard W. Lauer, Frederick E. Luff , G. M. Baldwin, Eugene H. Barksdale, Sidney S. Batchelder, Paul V. Burwell, Aubrey F. Diamond, Oliver P. Johnson, R. D. Jennings, C. H. Matthiesson, Maurice M. Kidd, Clair R. Oberst, Laurence I. Polk, John C. Rorison, Donald A. Wilson, Walter Rahmen. 2nd. Lieuts. Joseph E. Boudwin, John B. Garver, David W. Lewis.

As to the side question, the only thing close to a Gazette that I am aware of are the Air Service Special Orders which listed ratings and commissions. The Air Service Journal would publish these in every issue so can possibly be found that way. I'll dig to check on Wilson.

Steve

Steve Brew · 11 December 2025, 07:41 PM

Thanks Steve; I appreciate your help.

regular122 · 11 December 2025, 07:41 PM

Posted an edited update above.

Steve Brew · 11 December 2025, 08:32 PM

Thanks Steve. By the sounds of that, Wilson arrived in the same group as Barksdale. I appreciate you taking the time to look it up. Thank you!

ONEALM · 12 December 2025, 07:34 AM

Steve -

The Air Service Journal publsihed in 4 compiled volumes of weekly reports and available online (!) via the Hathi Triust (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?...21738144&seq=1 - here is volume 1) reported graduations, transfers, promotions, etc., but the dates were almost never specific.

However, Volume 1 contains the pub for 6 September 1917 where Wilson was reported among the students graduating from Cornell School of Military Aeronautics (Ground school) along with -

Cornell University
Robert A. Anderson, William J. Armstrong,
Guy M. Baldwin, Norman K.
Berry, Wendell E. Borncamp, George A.
Brader, Galloway G. Cheston, Lloyd Ludwig,
Donald S. Poler , William W. Wait,
Francis K. Read . Donald A. Wilson, R. S.
Stewart, Wesley Benner , H. S. Tierney,
H. L. Brownback.

I have exactly 1 photograph of graduating classes as Cornell - the 25 August 1917 class - and... this was Wilson's class. Send me an email at njaviators@aol.com and I will send you a copy of that photo. If you have a copy of Over the Front, Vol.32 #2 (2017), it was published in that issue as well. ==> Available here https://www.overthefront.com/product...90dc3177&_ss=r.

The 4 April 1918 edition of AS Journal noted his appointment to 1/Lt . citing an effective date of 19 March.

A listing from the Order of Daedalians has his RMA date as 8 April 1918 so those two dates are in concurrence since passing the RMA tests was usually coincident with commission.

Hope this fills in the gaps...
Mike

Steve Brew · 13 December 2025, 12:54 AM

Thank you very much for looking that up for me, Mike; I appreciate it very much. I was pleased to see that the link you gave to the Air Service Journal also provided reference to Barksdale on the same page.

Thanks for offering a copy of the photo. I will e-mail you separately.

Kind regards
Steve