Sgt. O. M. Sheehan - 803rd Aero Squadron - American Red Cross Comfort Bag
Sgt. O. M. Sheehan - 803rd Aero Squadron - American Red Cross Comfort Bag
Size: 11 x 14 inches
This World War 1 American Red Cross A.E.F. soldier’s Red Cross comfort bag contains the name of Sgt. O. M. Sheehan who served with the 803rd Aero Squadron during WWI. While not much is known of Sgt. Sheehan, members of the 803rd Aero Squadron served valiantly during the Great War with documented accounts of the 803rd Aero Squadron station in France serving as operational map makers in the air. Using their planes as reconnaissance tools, pilots were trained in the observation of enemy trenches and drawing of trench lines from the air. One pilot in particular from the 803rd squadron was awarded the Croix de Guerre After he was shot down crash landed in the Marne River, and then proceeded to swim across the river in order to deliver the updated trench maps.
Bag such as this were provided to soldiers and were stitched and knitted by Red Cross women and other volunteers. These usually contained goods such as candy, toiletries, and other gifts for the soldiers. Following the consumption of all of the gifts and food left inside, these storage bags were usually kept by the soldiers and were personal bags for their own items.