Description: Women's Army Corps members in uniform stand underneath the wing of a U.S. Army plane at Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus, Ohio. The public relations office of the Army Air Force School at Lockbourne provided the following photo caption: "Dress is right as these Air-Wacs [sic] of the Lockbourne Army Air Base stand at attention directly underneath a Douglas Dauntless. Reading from left to right, they are: Sgt. Louise Ruffini of Oceanport, N.J.; Cpl. Doris Todd of San Francisco, Calif.; Cpl. Winifred Wilson of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Cpl. Barbara Moon of Yakima, Washington." The facility was originally opened in June 1942 as Lockbourne Army Airfield (named after the nearby village of Lockbourne, Ohio) as a World War II pilot training airfield. It was then named the Northeastern Training Center of the Army Air Corps and provided basic pilot training and military support. It is now Rickenbacker International Airport. The training center also provided B-17 flight training to the WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots) and training for glider pilots in the CG-4A Waco glider. The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval scout plane and dive bomber manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05664
Subjects: United States. Army. Women's Army Corps; World War, 1939-1945--Women; Women--Military service--1940-1950; Ohio--History, Military; Rickenbacker International Airport; Douglas Dauntless (Dive bomber)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Taken in 1971 by U.S. Army medic Charles Tweel, this photograph shows a member of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) at a firebase shared by the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He wears his army uniform shirt with underwear and a brimmed hat, while holding a dagger in his right hand. By 1971, some of the men in the ARVN had been in combat since age fourteen. These men were fortunate to be stationed at the firebase because they could eat the large rats that lived there for a protein source, as nothing grew around them because it was sprayed with Agent Orange, a military-grade herbicide. This photograph is part of the Charles Tweel Collection (AV 324) at the Ohio History Connection. Charles Tweel grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University. After graduation in 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a non-combatant, first training as a medic at Fort Sam Huston, followed by nine months of additional training at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He finished his training as a Specialist 3 and 91C, MOS, and went on to serve in Bamberg, Germany, with combat engineers for one year. In January 1971, Tweel served in Vietnam with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Air Mobile), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, based out of Camp Evans near Phu Bai, north of Hue, until December of that year. Tweel spent most of his service on various firebases as the medic in charge, and occasionally shared firebases with South Vietnamese soldiers. He also visited MedCAP stations (Medical Civic Action Programs) where he treated civilians. Tweel received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement, and was promoted to Specialist 5 in 1971. After discharge from the Army, he went to medical school and was in private practice as a family practitioner from 1979-2016, and now works part-time in inner city medical clinics in Columbus, Ohio, and Charleston, South Carolina. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV324_B01F01_022
Subjects: Vietnam War (1961-1975); United States. Army. Airborne Division, 101st; Soldiers; Military life
Places: Vietnam
 

Description: Modern photograph made from a glass plate negative depicting the parade by the Grand Army of the Republic at the opening of the Ohio Centennial Exposition in 1888. The parade was on North High Street in Columbus. The soldiers in the picture are from Cleveland, Ohio. The Centennial celebration was in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first settlers arriving in Marietta, Ohio, in 1788. The Exposition formally opened on September 4, 1888. The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization for Civil War veterans who served in the Union Army. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03297
Subjects: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Ohio--History, Military; Grand Army of the Republic; Ohio--Centennial exhibitions, etc.
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows various military aircraft at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. Two men are standing in the center background of the photograph. Beginning in the 1910s, with World War I's outbreak, the United States government began investigating the use of airplanes in war. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson created the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA). This committee suggested establishing a center to research the use of airplanes in the military and also to seek improvements in airplane technology. Due to the presence of several automobile and aircraft plants in Ohio, the NACA established this center at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio. By 1924 the United States Air Corps had outgrown the facilities at McCook Field. Hoping to keep the Air Corps in Dayton, city officials and residents donated 5,250 acres of land on the city's outskirts. The Air Corps accepted the land and built Wright Field on the site. The base was named Wright Field to honor Orville and Wilbur Wright's contributions to flight. The Wrights had tested many of their early airplanes in the vicinity of Wright Field. Wright Field formally opened in 1927. In 1926 the United States government created the Army Air Corps, replacing the earlier Air Corps. The Army Air Corps stationed its Materiel Division at Wright Field. Here, scientists continued to improve aircraft. The scientists also realized that they had to work together to create the best possible plane. Before creation of the Army Air Corps, researchers studied individual parts of the plane, like engines, armor, wings, and propellers. Now scientists continued to specialize in individual components of planes, but they realized that changes in a plane's armor would affect all other parts of the plane. The same held true for changes in engines, wings, and the other parts of a plane. Under the Army Air Corps, researchers now kept a dialogue open between the various experts. Despite Wright Field's existence, the United States Army Air Corps entered World War II at a severe disadvantage numerically and technologically when compared to the air forces of other nations. To help overcome these weaknesses, the federal government in 1940 designated $300 million to improve Wright Field and to create an Air Corps with at least 5,500 planes. In 1941 only forty buildings existed at Wright Field, but by 1944 the airfield consisted of more than three hundred buildings. During World War II, research continued on airplanes, with much attention focused upon improving the horsepower of plane engines, airplanes' ranges and maneuverability, safety features for crews, and weapons. Workers at Wright Field helped to design and to construct numerous airplanes, such as the C-47 Skytrain, the C-54 Skymaster, the Curtiss C-46 Commando, the Sikorsky XR-4, the Curtiss-Wright P-40 Warhawk, the B-24 Liberator, and the B-29 Superfortress, among many others, during World War II. After World War II, Wright Field continued to play a major role in aircraft research and construction. In 1947 the United States government created the United States Air Force, eliminating the Army Air Forces and establishing a new branch of the United States military. That same year the Air Force combined Wright Field with nearby Patterson Field, creating Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Research continues at the base's facilities today, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is also home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06663
Subjects: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio); United States. Army. Air Corps; Aviation--History; Military aircraft; Aeronautics, Military; United States. Air Force--History
Places: Dayton (Ohio); Montgomery County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows several mililtary aircraft on display at Wright Field (now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) in Dayton, Ohio. Four people (two adults and two children) are seen walking through the display. Beginning in the 1910s, with World War I's outbreak, the United States government began investigating the use of airplanes in war. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson created the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA). This committee suggested establishing a center to research the use of airplanes in the military and also to seek improvements in airplane technology. Due to the presence of several automobile and aircraft plants in Ohio, the NACA established this center at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio. By 1924 the United States Air Corps had outgrown the facilities at McCook Field. Hoping to keep the Air Corps in Dayton, city officials and residents donated 5,250 acres of land on the city's outskirts. The Air Corps accepted the land and built Wright Field on the site. The base was named Wright Field to honor Orville and Wilbur Wright's contributions to flight. The Wrights had tested many of their early airplanes in the vicinity of Wright Field. Wright Field formally opened in 1927. In 1926 the United States government created the Army Air Corps, replacing the earlier Air Corps. The Army Air Corps stationed its Materiel Division at Wright Field. Here, scientists continued to improve aircraft. The scientists also realized that they had to work together to create the best possible plane. Before creation of the Army Air Corps, researchers studied individual parts of the plane, like engines, armor, wings, and propellers. Now scientists continued to specialize in individual components of planes, but they realized that changes in a plane's armor would affect all other parts of the plane. The same held true for changes in engines, wings, and the other parts of a plane. Under the Army Air Corps, the researchers now kept a dialog open between the various experts. Despite Wright Field's existence, the United States Army Air Corps entered World War II at a severe disadvantage numerically and technologically when compared to the Air Forces of other nations. To help overcome these weaknesses, the federal government, in 1940, designated $300 million to improve Wright Field and to create an Air Corps with at least 5,500 planes. In 1941 only forty buildings existed at Wright Field, but by 1944 the airfield consisted of more than three hundred buildings. During World War II, research continued on airplanes, with much attention focused upon improving the horsepower of plane engines, airplanes' ranges and maneuverability, safety features for crews, and weapons. Workers at Wright Field helped to design and to construct numerous airplanes, such as the C-47 Skytrain, the C-54 Skymaster, the Curtiss C-46 Commando, the Sikorsky XR-4, the Curtiss-Wright P-40 Warhawk, the B-24 Liberator, and the B-29 Superfortress, among many others, during World War II. After World War II, Wright Field continued to play a major role in aircraft research and construction. In 1947 the United States government created the United States Air Force, eliminating the Army Air Forces and establishing a new branch of the United States military. That same year the Air Force combined Wright Field with nearby Patterson Field, creating Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Research continues at the base's facilities today, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is also home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06664
Subjects: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio); United States. Army. Air Corps; Aviation--History; Military aircraft; Aeronautics, Military; United States. Air Force--History
Places: Dayton (Ohio); Montgomery County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photographic postcard showing surviving members of the Grand Army of the Republic and their families was taken in Columbus, Ohio, in 1915. The Grand Army of the Republic was one of the largest and most influential veterans organizations to be established following the Civil War. It was founded on April 6, 1866, by Benjamin Stephenson, who intended to form an organization that would provide veterans with political influence and opportunities to meet socially. Any veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps qualified for membership. National membership in the organization peaked in 1890 at a little over 409,000, and membership in the state of Ohio peaked at 49,011 in that same year. The GAR continued to operate until 1956, when the final member (Albert Woolson) died at the age of 109. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SC398_02
Subjects: Grand Army of the Republic; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Veterans; Military Ohio
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio);
 

Description: Members of the Grand Army of the Republic from Company F, 33rd O.V.I., taken October 12, 1911, at the 50 year reunion for the group's members in Portsmouth, Ohio. This photograph was taken on the steps of the post office in Portsmouth. Two men involved in Andrews' Raid of 1862--Daniel Dorsey (front row, second from right) and Samuel Llewellyen (second row, second from right)--were reported as being in attendance at this reunion. The Grand Army of the Republic was one of the largest and most influential veterans organizations to be established following the Civil War. It was founded on April 6, 1866, by Benjamin Stephenson, who intended to form an organization that would provide veterans with political influence and opportunities to meet socially. Any veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps qualified for membership. National membership in the organization peaked in 1890 at a little over 409,000, and membership in the state of Ohio peaked at 49,011 in that same year. The GAR continued to operate until 1956, when the final member (Albert Woolson) died at the age of 109. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SC398_04
Subjects: Grand Army of the Republic; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Veterans; Military Ohio; Andrews' Raid, 1862;
Places: Portsmouth (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio);
 

Description: Fourteen members of the Grand Army of the Republic. ca. 1915. The men are numbered but no identification key is provided. The Grand Army of the Republic was one of the largest and most influential veterans organizations to be established following the Civil War. It was founded on April 6, 1866, by Benjamin Stephenson, who intended to form an organization that would provide veterans with political influence and opportunities to meet socially. Any veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps qualified for membership. National membership in the organization peaked in 1890 at a little over 409,000, and membership in the state of Ohio peaked at 49,011 in that same year. The GAR continued to operate until 1956, when the final member (Albert Woolson) died at the age of 109. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SC398_05
Subjects: Grand Army of the Republic; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Veterans; Military Ohio
Places: Ohio
 

Description: This flag has a red field with two blue scrolls which are lettered in gold "Department of Ohio G.A.R." Centrally featured is a 5-pointed star metal which represents five branches of the military. The inner seal reads "Grand Army of the Republic Veterans 1861-1866" An eagle clutches a sword above two cannons and two white embroidered stars hang overhead. The flag is made of silk and measures 120 by 170 cm. Benjamin Stephenson founded the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) on April 6, 1866, in Decatur, Illinois. Stephenson intended to form an organization of veterans of the American Civil War that would provide them with political influence and opportunities to meet socially. Any veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps qualified for membership. National membership in the organization peaked in 1890 at a little over 409,000, and membership in the state of Ohio peaked at 49,011 in that same year. One GAR retirement home became the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home in 1870. The GAR established the home in 1869, and the state government assumed control of it in 1870 to provide Ohio veterans and their children with assistance. The GAR continued to operate until 1956, when the final member (Albert Woolson) died at the age of 109. The last national encampment had occurred seven years earlier in 1949. The Grand Army of the Republic was responsible for making Memorial Day a national holiday. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: H65514_001
Subjects: Ceremonial artifact; Communication artifact; Military flags; Grand Army of the Republic; Flags--Ohio; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Veterans; Textile--silk;
Places: Ohio
 

Description: Taken in 1971 by U.S. Army medic Charles Tweel, this photograph shows a U.S. Army base with men standing on a structure made of ammunition boxes and sandbags. An American and South Vietnamese flags fly in the center, and the tail of a helicopter tower over men on the right. This photograph is part of the Charles Tweel Collection (AV 324) at the Ohio History Connection. Charles Tweel grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University. After graduation in 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a non-combatant, first training as a medic at Fort Sam Huston, followed by nine months of additional training at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He finished his training as a Specialist 3 and 91C, MOS, and went on to serve in Bamberg, Germany, with combat engineers for one year. In January 1971, Tweel served in Vietnam with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Air Mobile), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, based out of Camp Evans near Phu Bai, north of Hue, until December of that year. Tweel spent most of his service on various firebases as the medic in charge, and occasionally shared firebases with South Vietnamese soldiers. He also visited MedCAP stations (Medical Civic Action Programs) where he treated civilians. Tweel received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement, and was promoted to Specialist 5 in 1971. After discharge from the Army, he went to medical school and was in private practice as a family practitioner from 1979-2016, and now works part-time in inner city medical clinics in Columbus, Ohio, and Charleston, South Carolina. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV324_B01F05_020
Subjects: Vietnam War (1961-1975); United States. Army. Airborne Division, 101st; Transportation, Military; Helicopters; Military life
Places: Vietnam
 

Description: Modern photograph made from a glass plate negative depicting the parade by the Grand Army of the Republic at the opening of the Ohio Centennial Exposition in 1888. The parade was held on North High Street in Columbus. The soldiers carrying their weapons across their shoulders are from Kansas. The Centennial celebration was in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first settlers arriving in Marietta, Ohio, in 1788. The Exposition formally opened on September 4, 1888. The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization for Civil War veterans who served in the Union Army. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03296
Subjects: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Ohio--History, Military; Grand Army of the Republic; Ohio--Centennial exhibitions, etc.
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Modern photograph made from a glass plate negative depicting the parade by the Grand Army of the Republic at the opening of the Ohio Centennial Exposition in 1888. The parade was on North High Street in Columbus in 1888. In the image, men dressed as sailors ride on a Union gunboat float in the parade. A self-propelled steam engine can be seen in the foreground pulling the gunboat. The Centennial celebration was in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first settlers arriving in Marietta, Ohio, in 1788. The Exposition formally opened on September 4, 1888. The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization for Civil War veterans who served in the Union Army. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03298
Subjects: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Ohio--History, Military; Grand Army of the Republic; Ohio--Centennial exhibitions, etc.
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)