Full medal write up
A wooden propeller display made from parts of Lieutenant Ralph O’Neill’s 147th Aero Squadron Spad XIII fighter after it was damaged after a combat patrol.
Each propeller blade has an S.F.A. decal applied, these standing for ‘Societé Fabriques Aeronautique’, above which has been cut a rectangular hole which fits onto a protruding block secured by a wooden peg. Together this forming a letter "H" and measures 18" x 18" x 7" once assembled. The centre hub has a French aircraft cockpit clock from O’Neill’s Spad inserted, this marked ‘Allions à Versailles’ and ‘Propriété de l'Aviation Militaire’ to the clock face. The glass has been replaced by Perspex and the second had is missing. It is not clear whether the clock was damaged in the crash or not but does not appear to be in working order.
The hub itself has been cut through with stamps ‘SFA’, ‘W I’, to the top retained and ‘2223’ and ‘54153’ to the rear. To the rear, there is the remains of a partial paper label applied which originally recounted a story associated with this relic. This it is not really readable, except for a handful of words.
Along with this is an attractive 26 x 20.5cm contemporary silvered metal picture frame with small WW1 US pilot wings to the top; presumably something veteran pilots could purchase post war. In this is a modern copy photo of O’Neill after the award of his first DSC and oakleaf. Additionally brass & wood membership plaque for the Quiet Birdmen (QB) organization, this the same size as the picture frame.
This propellor display was original part of a larger group of items of O’Neill’s, including his photograph album (also for sale by Jager), a uniform, miniature award and documents, sold as part of the Carisella collection in 2005, which included numerous high profile WW1 aviation items. This item was described as:
“..aviation relic made from sections of O’Neill’s propeller with French clock from his Spad fighter mounted to it; O’Neill’s two-page statement relating the circumstances following a combat patrol which resulted in the construction of the relic.”
Unfortunately this statement has been mislaid since its sale in 2005. However going through Squadron record’s may identify which combat O’Neill’s Spad was severely damaged or written off. 147th Squadron only used Spad XIII’s operationally from mid-August 1918 and O’Neill was sent on leave due to combat stress about a week prior to the armistice so it must have been between these dates.
The following website gives an excellent detailed account of O’Neil’s WW1 service: