Lot of Five (5) LARGE WWI WW1 photos – BB-46 USS Maryland Launch – 3/20/1920. Photos are one of a kind, with no known other copies in existence. Similar photos, but not exactly the same, can be found on websites by searching for USS Maryland on Google. The photos are from the personal collection of 2nd Lt. Almon Bogardus, FA with the 1st Aero Squadron of the Army and show scenes from the. Launching of the USS Maryland from the Newport News, VA shipyard and scenes from the launch party. The USS Maryland is incomplete. In these photos, with work still needed to install the turrets and other weaponry. The turret holes in the deck can be seen in the close up. Scan included in the photos. Identified in the photos are. Brooke Lee, daughter-in-law of U. Senator from Maryland, Blair Lee, and possibly US Senator Blair Lee wearing black top hat next to. History of The 1st Aero Squadron – Army. The 1st Aero Squadron was formed on January, 7th, 1914 and was the very first air unit created. Early on, the 1st Aero Squadron participated. In the hunt for Pancho Villa. When the US declared war on Germany in 1917, the squadron was sent to France with the 1st Division. In February 1918, a member of the 1st Aero Squadron became the first person in the US Military to shoot down an enemy aircraft. In April 1918, the squadron was assigned to the I Corps Observation Group, Air Service, First Army, and was designated as a Corp. The mission of the 1st Aero Squadron was surveillance of the enemy rear areas through both visual and. Photographic reconnaissance in support of intelligence gathering operations on enemy movements and positions. Below are some dates the 1st Air Squadron saw direct involvement in World War I. 7 July-6 August 1918. 12 August-11 September 1918. 26 September-11 November 1918. After the armistice, the I Corps Observation Group was disbanded and the squadron was assigned to serve as part of the occupation force. Of the Rhineland under the Third Army Air Service. The squadron served until June 1919, when it was relieved of duty with the American. Once back in the States, the squadron served in various assignments in multiple Observation groups in the Army.