Frank Gurrier served with the 349th Aero Squadron during World War I. Gurrier received his pilots’ training at Kelly Field, Texas in 1917. During this time, Gurrier trained in the Curtis JN-4 (Jenny). After training at Kelly Field, Gurrier and the rest of the 349th deployed to England to support the allies in the war. During training and deployment, Gurrier showcased his artistic side by depicting crashes and other events with small drawings and pencil etchings. Gurrier witnessed and endured multiple crashes during his training and deployment, but returned safely to the United States at the end of World War I. During his time with the Army Air Service and after the War, Gurrier became fascinated with the history of aviation and began collecting articles and pictures that documented flight history beginning in 1903.
Frank Gurrier donated these materials to the Air Force Academy for all his fellow airmen in 1957.
The collection consists of a scrapbook, complied by Major Frank Gurrier, that documents aviation events from 1903 to 1937. Significantly, the scrapbook highlights Gurrier’s service with the 349th Aero Squadron during World War I. The collection is presented in one series in one box.
