Pittman Shay collection of Major General Ralph P. Cousins

Born in Texas on December 1, 1891, Ralph P. Cousins attended West Point Academy and went on to serve in the United States Air Force until his retirement in 1946. He was involved in the Mexican Expedition, fought overseas in World War I, and performed various leadership tasks before and during World War II. Cousins earned a Masters of Science degree at Yale University in 1922. During 1923, he oversaw Air Corps radio communications and installations, a system, which would eventually become the basis for the commercial aviation system. He is rated a command pilot, combat observer, and aircraft observer

This collection comprises documents and a photograph related to Maj. Gen. Cousins’s time in the military, as well as the funereal flag.