This group of three items consists of a Model 1911 Campaign Hat, Model 1917 helmet with painted insignia, and a stenciled leather carrying bag.

The campaign hat has the correct “Montana” peak with the five rows of stitching along the brim edge. The hat has the original band of ribbon around the base of the crown and the original Air Service hat cord. The interior of the hat has the original sweatband which is in very good condition. The hat shows some light wear over the entire surface with one or two tiny moth bites but otherwise the item is in excellent condition.

The Model 1917 steel helmet is the shell only with the upper half of the chin strap remaining. The front of the helmet has a wonderful period painted insignia of a black square with a white painted “662” across the top. At center of the square is a white four bladed prop flanked by white letters “A” and “S.”

The leather carrying bag has the original shoulder strap. The bag is made entirely of leather with one large center pocket and a smaller one attached to the outside. The flap is of leather and has two straps that attach to buckles on the outside of the smaller pocket. Over all the leather is in fair to good condition. Most of the wear is concentrated on the back panel. The back has stenciled with black lettering that reads “CPL. L. WILLCUT 662 AREO SQDN.”

Lowell E. Willcut was born June 30, 1894 in Kansas. He entered the Army on September 6, 1918 and was assigned to the 662^nd Aero Squadron at Kelly Field in Texas. During his time he rose to the rank of Corporal. He was discharged on March 31, 1919 and returned to Kansas where he became a member of the American Legion’s Argonne Post #180. He died on December 2, 1957. He is buried in Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend, Kansas.

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