Following the armistice, the new Army Transportation Corps worked to return the Army Expeditionary Force to the United States. It also used some of its newest Soldiers to continue testing the technology and tactics the Army had developed for World War I. The Army continued to experiment with lighter-than-air blimps, establishing a Balloon School at Ft Eustis, VA. The Transportation Corps would continue experiments that would have a huge impact on the entire United States was the trans-continental motor convoy of 1919. The progress following the war was short lived, as transportation would once again revert to Quartermaster Corps control during the 1920 reorganization of the Army. Combined with the impact of the Depression on military training and technological development, meant that the role of Transportation Service would revert to support the small garrisons overseas and within the U.S. with increasing aging equipment.

Motor convoy

Photo of the 1st trans-continental motor convoy of 1919.

Blimp from Fort Eustis U.S. Army Balloon School seen flying over Lee Hall, VA in 1920s.

Some of the contents of SGT Mienke’s footlocker from his journey as a member of the 1st trans-continental motor convoy of 1919. – US Army Transportation Museum Collection

U.S. Army Recruiting poster highlighting the world travel opportunities during the 1920s and 1930s. – US Army Transportation Museum Collection

U.S. Army Transport Ship Cambrai at port in Seattle, WA. USAT Cambrai serviced the San Francisco—Honolulu route for the USAT from 1922-31. – US Army Transportation Museum Collection