Sgt. Leslie Brooks

Leslie Brooks (1891-1986) entered the Army Air Service in August 1917 and was assigned to the 83rd Aero Squadron (later designated the 495th Aero Squadron) stationed at Kelly Field, Texas, where he worked as a mechanic and helped build engines for "flying machines". In February 1918 the Squadron shipped overseas to France where Brooks continued to work as a mechanic and truck driver and was promoted to sergeant. He was discharged in March of 1919.

This collection consists of 55 letters written by Brooks to his family in San Francisco. Most are to his sister Lydia. The letters of Brooks to his family offer a young man’s impressions of the world he encounters when he leaves home to serve his country during World War I.