Arthur Traxler Collection

Arthur Traxler joined the U.S. Army at Fort Kirk, Nebraska on November 12, 1922. He had always wanted to serve in the Army and joined with the condition that he would serve at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He entrained to San Francisco and spent time on Angel Island before sailing for Hawaii where he was assigned to the 35^th Infantry Regiment and attended two weeks of basic training. He then attended the Cooks and Bakers school and was assigned to the mess hall for the duration of his duty in Hawaii.

 

This program, which features a menu and roster, commemorated the 91st Observation Squadron’s 1929 Thanksgiving celebration while stationed at Crissy Field on the Presidio of San Francisco. The cover (left) shows the 91st in flight over San Francisco, and the roster (right) lists Lee I. Traxler as a Private, First Class at the bottom right.

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, Arthur Traxler Collection, GOGA-1766

 

In 1925, Arthur Traxler returned to the mainland and was discharged. After three weeks of civilian life, he re-enlisted at the Post Dispensary, Building 2 at the Presidio of San Francisco (the building which later became the Presidio Army Museum). In April of 1925, Traxler went to Vancouver Barracks, Washington with the 7^th Infantry Regiment. After two years in Vancouver, he was transferred to the 3^rd Infantry Regiment. Then, in 1927, he again came to the Presidio of San Francisco and was discharged in 1928.

 

This program commemorates the 1935 Thanksgiving celebration of the 91st Observation Squadron while stationed at Crissy Field on the Presidio of San Francisco. The cover (left) documents the Golden Gate Bridge during its construction. Delicacies highlighted on the menu (right) included Roasted Turkey with Chestnut Dressing and Giblet Gravy, Mince Pie, and French Drip Coffee followed by either cigars or cigarettes—your preference!

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, Arthur Traxler Collection, GOGA-1766

 

The previously featured 1935 Thanksgiving program and menu includes this photograph of the airplanes from the 91st Observation Squadron flying high above the San Francisco Bay, spanned by partially constructed Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.

Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, Arthur Traxler Collection, GOGA-1766

Arthur Traxler re-enlisted with the Air Corps and was stationed at Crissy Field, a post that required a higher rating. Since he was married, he lived off-base on Divisadero Street. By 1928 he was promoted to the rank of private first class, specialist grade two. At the time, Crissy Field's main designation was for the 91^st Observation Wing and the 15^th Photo Section, which surveyed the coast, performed military reconnaissance, and other assorted tasks. In total, there were approximately 150 men stationed at the post and their aircraft were kept at the far end of the field later used by the motor pool. Occasionally, the unit would move to Mather Field near Sacramento for gunnery practice. For this the aircraft would fly to Sacramento and the rest of the men would make the trip in trucks requisitioned from surplus materials from World War I.

The holiday programs were donated to the Presidio Army Museum by Arthur Traxler in 1975. The collection also documents the career of Arthur's relative, Lee I. Traxler, who was a Private with the 91^st Observation Squadron stationed at Crissy Field at the same time. The featured items are just a sample of the collection, which includes additional programs of the 91^st Observation Squadron throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

 

For more information:

Crissy Field:
Presidio of San Francisco - Crissy Field
National Register - Aviation: Crissy Field
California State Military Museum - Crissy Army Air Field

Old Post Hospital (Post Dispensary)
Presidio of San Francisco - Old Post Hospital

 

Colonel James H. Short and General George H. Pappas Collections

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