Paul H. Creswell enlisted in the U. S. Air Corp in 1917, departing in October of that year for Foggia, Italy, for further training. While in Italy, Lieutenant Creswell was on detached service with the Italian air corp., but connected with the 1111th Aero squadron, American Expeditionary Force. His entire term of service was completed in Italy, culminating in training to fly a Caproni bomber. He shipped home in January 1919. Lieutenant Creswell received an Italian silver medal award for services rendered to Italy during the great conflict. The sixty-six letters written home by Paul Creswell while in Italy were dated from August 20, 1917 to January 16, 1919. These letters were compiled and edited by his daughter Mary Carol Creswell Short. Creswell invented the first mechanical road striping machine in 1938. He founded a company to build and market that equipment; the Kelly-Creswell company is still in business today. Paul Creswell died in 1961.

Centennial Library Collection Catalog Record

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Link to catalog record of Sixty-six Letters: W. W. I Air Service; August 20, 1917, January 16, 1919, Foggia, Italy