Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Lahm's father joined the Aero Club of France and owned the balloon "Katherine Hamilton", named in honor of his daughter. The elder Lahm made frequent ascensions and initiated his son's interest in obtaining his Federation Aeronautique Internationale license as a balloon pilot. After completing the required six ascensions, including one at night and one alone, the young Lahm received his balloon pilot's license in the summer of 1905, the same summer that he became a first lieutenant. In 1906 Lahm won the International Balloon Race, and his influence in aviation, especially his impact in the U.S. Military Service, only grew from there.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date 1906-1931 Country of Origin France Type AWARDS-Trophies Physical Description The Aero Club of France plaque presented to Frank Lahm has a silver medal with a female and winged male figure depicted inset on the top-center of the plaque and an engraved insignia on either side. The inscription below the medal reads: "HOMMAGE DE L'AERO CLUB DE FRANCE A FRANK S. LAHM PILOTE AERONAUTE MEMBRE DE SON COMITE DE DIRECTION 1906 * 1931 EN RECONNAISSANCE DES SERVICES RENDUS A LA CAUSE AERONAUTIQUE" Dimensions 3-D: 13 × 0.3 × 15.1cm (5 1/8 × 1/8 × 5 15/16 in.)
 Materials Silver Alloy
 Inventory Number A19550082000 Credit Line Donated by Brig. Gen. Frank P. Lahm (USAF, Ret.) Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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