CIRCA 1920’s, U.S. ARMY AIR SERVICE, OBSERVER, WING, PINBACK VINTAGE, ORIGINAL

Description

CIRCA 1920’s, U.S. ARMY AIR SERVICE, OBSERVER, WING, PINBACK VINTAGE, ORIGINAL
This Observer Wing pattern was approved on 12 November 1920. Veteran Pilots who no longer could pass the physical examination to continue piloting, but who were re-rated as observers to stay on flying status. Rather than embarrass them with half wings as other observers wore, War Department Circular 383 stated “Observers who have qualified as airplane pilots” were authorized a full wing with the US letters within the center circle on the wing.
The United States Army Air Service (USAAS) (also known as the "Air Service", "U.S. Air Service" and before its legislative establishment in 1920, the "Air Service, United States Army") was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1918 and 1926 and a forerunner of the United States Air Force. It was established as an independent but temporary branch of the U.S. War Department during World War I by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation Section, Signal Corps as the nation's air force; and March 19, 1919, establishing a military Director of Air Service to control all aviation activities. Its life was extended for another year in July 1919, during which time Congress passed the legislation necessary to make it a permanent establishment. The National Defense Act of 1920 assigned the Air Service the status of "combatant arm of the line" of the United States Army with a major general in command.
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