Ghost Squadron
Military Museum
The Ghost Squadron Military Museum was established in 2005. It is a private "Mini Museum" that contains the collection of its owner, Wes Krause. The collection began in the mid 1970's and the artifacts it contains ranges from the 1840's to the 1960's with focus on United States and Canadian Military. A portion of the collection is dedicated to specific U.S. Divisions of World War One and Two, the United States Army Air Force in Europe and the China Burma India Theater, the B-17 Flying Fortress, Pre-1900 U.S. Infantry, the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as other specific units and campaigns. Additionally, the development of specific military equipment and uniforms is highlighted throughout the collection. The modest collection contains well over 6600 individual artifacts and is still growing.
Please Note: There will be regular updates to this site as photos are downloaded. Updates listed at the bottom of this page. Check back frequently. I must mention, I am not an expert in military related artifacts. Countless hours of research have been invested in crafting the descriptions of every piece you will see here. Hope you enjoy the website as much as I enjoy sharing it with you.
The Ghost Squadron Military Museum
The concept and ultimate goal of this "Mini Museum" is to preserve and highlight Military Artifacts of the eras represented.
The artifacts shared here are based in general terms as; U.S. Military, Canadian Military and the B-17 Flying Fortress. This website will provide images and information on the different areas of focus in the Museum Collection.
Ghost Squadron Military Museum Social Media Page
In August 2017 a Social Media page was started with the simple concept of sharing parts of the collection on a weekly basis. In 2021, three more social media platforms were added for updates and features. The Featured Artifact of the Week posts is one of two weekly installments. The Featured Flying Fortress of the Week is a recent addition which features a randomly selected B-17 Flying Fortress related photograph or postcard from the collection. A link will be posted in the main menu of this site
Click on the image to take you to the Ghost Squadron Military Museum Social Media Page.
Public Displays
Since 1989 the owner of the Ghost Squadron Military Museum has presented his collection at a variety of Military Exhibitions and Gun Shows across Alberta and Montana. Follow the link in the contents to view some of the displays presented
All artifacts and vintage photographs on this page are the property of the Ghost Squadron Military Museum. All photographs are NOT to be reproduced in any way, shape or form without express written approval of the owner of the Ghost Squadron Military Museum. Thank you for respecting this.
Why start a website??
Over the years a lot of people have suggested I start a website to put the Collection onto the world wide web. It sounded easy, though technology is not my forte so I did not pursue at the time. Thanks to a self professed "Time Bandit" and his suggestion of a host (Google Sites) the project quickly gained traction. The work started in January 2021 and has been a daily adventure that includes; researching, writing descriptions and downloading images from my archive plus all the sorting ,arranging and editing. What needs to be stressed here is that this is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg, there will be plenty to follow in the future. The goal is as stated above, but it also draws on a deep respect I have for veterans of all ages and eras. What has been a nearly 45 year odyssey into collecting has brought this website into existence.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge a few people who have been very supportive of this adventure into the unknown.
My sincere thanks and appreciation go out a very good friend and mentor Hayes Otoupalik. His knowledge and advice in collecting has set the path I have followed for decades and I value his friendship and comradery very much.
In starting this website I asked several friends for input on how to make it a logical and enjoyable experience. Many thanks go out to Angela, Colin, Scott, Bruce, Kevin and Tom all of whom contributed their thoughts, observations and suggestions
The understanding and support of my family is remarkable as they patiently listen to me going on about some odd collectible that found its way into my home. Yes, I know it may bore the hell out of people when I enthusiastically describe the variations of a jacket or canteen, just bear with me, OK. Enjoy the site and share with family, friends and fellow collectors.
The B-17 Flying Fortress
The 88th Division (Infantry)
The 41st Division (Infantry)
The 8th Air Force
Comments are welcomed at Contact Email; ghostsquadronmuseum@gmail.com
UPDATES;
February 27, revise intro, download images
February 25, Add new page WW2 US Ammunition Equipment
February 24, Add to U.S. WW2 Equipment
February 23, Add to U.S. WW2 Equipment
February 22, Add to WW2 U.S Equipment
February 21, Add to Pennsylvania National Guard
February 19, Add to Pennsylvania National Guard
February 18, Roll-out of the website.
February 17, Update and add to WW2 Equipment, Home Page.
February 16, Add British Made U.S Equipment set up links
February 15, Update and add to WW1 Equipment
February 14, Add to Pre 1900 Equipment, Home Page update.
February 14, New Page, Pennsylvania National Guard, Add to Pre 1900 Equipment
February 13, Add to Pre 1900 Equipment
February 12, Adjust spacing and alignment all pages.
February 11, Change Banners, Set-up page navigation, add pages
February 10, Add to and edit B-17 Flying Fortress and 41st Division, Move Navigation bar
February 9, Add to US Military Equipment, 88th Division Trench Art
February 8, Add to US Military Equipment, WW2 Flight Equipment
February 7, Add to U.S.A.F. Flight Equipment, U.S.A.A.C. Uniforms, Flight Jackets-Type A-2
February 6, Add to United States Air Force, change names U.S.A.A.F. and China Burma India Theater.
February 5, Add to North Russia Siberia and United States Air Force Page
February 4, Add to Uniforms, new artifacts and descriptions
February 3, Change background color on all pages
February 2, Add to RCAF,
February 1, Add to USAAF Europe, Uniforms 1860 to 1960
January 31, Update USMC, 1860 to 1960 uniforms, Add RCAF Page
January 30, Add YouTube video link and Postal Express Service photographs
January 29, Add Springfield Armory Displays to Public Displays, Font Change, New Pages U.S. Postal Express Service, North Russia Siberian Expeditionary Force
January 28, Add Division History, Troop Ships and "Who Can Tell" to 88th Page.
January 27, Add images USMC Page
January 26, Set-up of United States Marine Corps Page
January 25, Add new Blood Chit Information and Photographs
January 24, Set-up Blood Chit Page.
January 23, Add images to U.S. Uniforms
January 22, Add images to U.S. Equipment
January 21, Add images to Mini Museum Page
January 20, Add images to Public Displays
January 19, Set-up Public Displays and Mini Museum Page
January 18, Add images to B-17 Flying Fortress Page
January 15, Set-up B-17 Flying Fortress, U.S. Equipment, U.S. Uniforms Pages
January 14, Add images and posts to Ghost Squadron Social Media page
January 13, Add images to 41st and 88th Division pages, Set-up Social Media Page.
January 10, Add images to U.S.A.A.F. pages
January 9, Add images 41st and 88th Pages.
January 7, Set-up U.S.A.A.F pages, C.B.I. and Europe
January 6, Set-up 41st and 88th Division Pages
January 3, Start the Ghost Squadron Military Museum page
UPDATES;
March 13, Add 1880 to 1917 coats to Uniforms, 1880 to 1960
March 11, Update Uniforms, 1880 to 1960
March 9, Add to Facebook Posts, Update WW1 88th Division
March 9, Add M1942 Paratrooper Uniform to Uniforms 1880 to 1960
March 8, Add to WW2 41st Infantry Division
March 7, Add 41st Division WW2 Uniforms page
April 6, Add to Marine Corps Page
April 7, Add to Pennsylvania National Guard page
April 8, Add to WW1 88th Division page
April 20, Edit Flight Jacket, Public Display Pages
April 25, Add to, USMC, Pennsylvania National Guard
April 29, Add Pages to B-17 Flying Fortress
May 6, 2021, Add to Facebook Featured Artifacts of the Week
June 6, 2021, Add to B-17 Flying Fortress pages
June 20, 2021, Add Springfield Armory Page
October 7, 2021, Update Social Media Page, contents
October 9, 2021, Add to U.S. Equipment, Hagner/Frazier Cartridge Box
October 12, 2021, Add DAILY Veteran's Memorial
February 6, 2022, Add, 88th Division Troop Ships, Artifacts
March 18, Update WW1 Equipment B-17 Flying Fortress
April 12, Add 88th Division items