Clarke, Powhatan Papers
This collection is mostly comprised of correspondence between Powhatan H. Clarke and his mother describing his experiences while serving overseas. Also included are notebooks from Clarke’s time as a student at the Cadet School of Military Aviation, and at the University of Illinois. Powhatan Hughes Clarke served with the 21st Aero Squadron and the Labor Bureau A.E.F. during World War I. He was born in 1893 to Elizabeth Clemens Clarke and Powhatan Henry Clarke who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts in the Indian wars. Powhatan Hughes Clarke graduated from Saint Louis University in 1917 and shortly after volunteered for the Officers’ Reserve of the Signal Corps, Aviation Section. He received further flight training in France, but eventually was detached from Air Service. He was then assigned to various Administrative Labor Companies and transferred to the Army Service Corps. Clarke sailed for the United States on September 25th, 1919 and was discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey in October 1919. He died from tuberculosis August 20, 1920.
