Walter J. Kropf served as a Balloon Pilot (Observer) with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I and later served for 25 years as a civilian employee of the US Air Force including work in contract management and purchasing. This collection consists of Kropf's diary kept during his military service in 1918, some of his military records, a news clipping from 1961 regarding Kropf meeting Joe Kittinger, and a letter to Kropf from 1970 from the National American Balloon Corps Veterans Association.
Walter J. Kropf served as a Balloon Pilot (Observer) with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I. Kropf received training at the Army Balloon School at Fort Omaha, Nebraska and later at Camp John Wise, Texas. Kropf served overseas in France where he participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the battles of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Kropf was honorably discharged in 1919 at the rank of second lieutenant. Kropf later served for 25 years as a civilian employee of the US Air Force including work in contract management and purchasing.
Identifier
NASM.2022.0034
Creator
Kropf, Walter J.
Date
1918-1919, 1961-1970
Provenance
John Kropf, Gift, 2022, NASM.2022.0034
Extent
0.13 Cubic feet (1 flat box)
Archival Repository
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of Walter J. Kropf's diary kept during his time in service in 1918. The diary, which measures approximately 3.5 by 6 inches and has a brown leather cover, includes entries for each day of the year as well as a section of names and addresses in the back. The collection also contains Kropf's American Expeditionary Forces Officers' Identity Card which includes a photograph of Kropf in uniform and some additional biographical information including a copy of Kropf's military record and discharge certificate, a news clipping from 1961 regarding Kropf meeting Joe Kittinger, and a letter to Kropf from 1970 from the National American Balloon Corps Veterans Association.
Arrangement note
Collection is arranged by type of material.
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Citation
Walter J. Kropf World War I Balloon Diary, NASM.2022.0034, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics
Aeronautics, Military Balloons World War, 1914-1918