This is a fantastic example of a painted World War I U.S. standard summer issue leather flight helmet identified to a pilot of the 638th Aero Squadron: Lt. Howard F. Rough. The 638th was an American pursuit squadron that operated over the skies of the Western Front during World War I and was assigned to escort reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. This was a late war squadron that was never fully organized before the signing of the 1918 Armistice. The squadron returned to the United States in July 1919 and was demobilized and never reactivated. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum identifies Lt. Rough as a member of the 638th Aero Squadron (see airandspace.si.edu/webimages/collections/full/Transcription%20-%20002.pdf). He went on to become an U.S. aviation government official who served 25 years with the Civil Aviation Authority and its predecessor organizations before his death in 1969. His wife Helen was an aviation pioneer in her own right as she was one of the first women fliers awarded a transport pilot's license, set national and world speed and altitude records, and performed stunt flying and racing throughout the country. This is the standard summer issue flight helmet with bill made by the famed sports gear supplier A.G. Spalding. Spalding was the foremost supplier of American flight gear, including flight helmets, leather jackets, and flight suits well into the 1930s. The Spalding label is present on the interior. The exterior of the flight helmet is wonderfully painted with a roundel on top and the yellow "V" and black cat insignia of the 638th Aero Squadron on the front and back. Also on the front is the handwritten marking in ink "LT. H.F. ROUGH/A.S. MA./U.S.A." The chin strap and goggle retention straps are present as well as the snaps. Includes a pair of goggles. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection