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Paul Alexander was initially inducted into the Cavalry, seeking a commission from the SATC (student army training Corp) the WWI
ROTC. After he was accepted he transferred to Army Air Service where trained as an Aerial Observer.
He attended aviation school, University of Illinois, graduating March 9, 1918. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. on July 17, 1918
and attached to the Army Air Service.
Alexander departed Hoboken NJ on Aug 15, 1918. Arriving in France he went to Cleremont France as a part of a detachment of
"Fighting Observers". He flew in the US observation/bomber known as the DH-4.
He was never wounded, but was recalled as having been brought down once. No Kills, No direct combat credits. Orders that came with the
material from the Alexander family show that he was on Flight Duty, but unattached in Aug. of 1918.
Alexander returned to US from Brest France in January of 1919 and was released from service on Feb. 19, 1919 at Garden City NJ.
Medals: WWI Victory Medal, Missouri St. Victory Medal.
After the War he returned to his home in Paris Missouri where he ran the local newspaper the Paris Mercury.
- ACCESSION LIST.
- Wool tunic. Custom mfg. with rolled collar, bellow pockets (French).
- Issue wool tunic, sewn on 2nd Lt. bars.
- Issue wool tunic.
- Issue wool officer's trousers.
- Wristwatch complete with trench cover and leather band.
- New Testament
- Pilots flight log
- Flying Goggles
- Officers hat brass.
- Officers hat cord
- Leather wallet
- Personal instructions for disembarkation.
- USR, US(NA), US officer's collar brass.
- Crossed Rifle with U/M (University of Missouri)
- State of MO. victory medal
- Photos: 29 of the US Signal Corps Photos some with captions. Group photo at Univ. of Missouri.
- Documentation: Copies available, originals returned in 1991 to family per their request. Orders, dispatches, certificates. (Original returned to William Alexander)
<FOOTNOTE>
Serving as a "Fighting Observer" he arrived on the Western Front just in time to take part in the action over the Argonne, although
not officially assigned to a squadron. Assigned to DH4's he would risk a fiery death in these infamous "Flaming Coffins" as they
plodded through anti aircraft fire and were hunted ruthlessly by the enemy pursuit craft.
Surviving the Great War he returned to Missouri, working as an editor in the local paper , raising a family and enjoying the life
of a local hero. His war souvenirs became scattered around the homestead, the kids "getting into them from time to time" but still
retained as a remembrance of his adventure "Over There". He was so proud of his service that he requested that he be buried with
his original aviator wings. (They have been replaced on his uniform in this display).
After his death in the early 1980's his family began to assemble his mementos again, loaning them to this collection in 1988.
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