Wings of Valor : Navigator

The role of the pilot was to get the plane off the ground and into the air. [wings shown last post]  Once airborne, the navigator was to get them where they were assigned.  The wings worn by the one who controlled the course of the plain is shown below.

There was a special symbol placed in the center of the wings.  It seems to have been the symbol of a gyrocompass of sorts.  This was a compass consisting of a continuously driven gyroscope whose spinning axis is confined to a horizontal plane so that the earth's rotation causes it to assume a position parallel to the earth's axis and thus point to the true north.  True north indeed it is.

Are there any folks out there who might be able to better explain this symbol and its meaning?

Wings of Valor : Pilot

Valor can be defined as strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness.  The U.S. Army Air Forces, June 1941 to September 1947, gave qualification badges to those who were active among the various Air Forces [1st Air Force to 20th Air Force] who participated in WWII.  These came to be called "wings" and  represented the various roles the individual had among the air crews.  The following posts will show these worn by the air crews.

The first is that of the "Pilot".

Wings centered by a shield.  In bomber groups this would also be worn by the Co-Pilot.  These were formed from sterling silver, and the words "sterling" appears on the back side in very small print.

According to the text by A. Timothy Warnock, the United States Air Force was first called "the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Army Signal Corps" from August 1907 to July 1914.  It was then called "Aviation Section, U.S. Army Signal Corps" from July 1914 to May 1918.  It was then described as "U.S. Army Air Service" from May 1918 to July 1926.  This was changed to "U.S. Army Air Corps" from July 1926 to June 1941.  During WWII, it was the "U.S. Army Air Forces" from June 1941 until September 1947 when it was formed into a distinct branch of service the United States Air Force (USAF).  The wings to be shown are from the WWII period of valor.

Ref. : United States Air Force Combat Medals, Streamers, and Campaigns, by A. Timothy Warnock, Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1990.

WWII American Defense Service Medal

Defending America prior to the onset of WWII began on September 8, 1939 following a national emergency proclamation.  Of course it ended on December 7, 1941, but the following medal was awarded to members of the United States armed forces for service during this period.

On the obverse (front) stands a female figure representing Liberty.  She is holding a shield and brandishing a sword.  She stands on a live oak branch with its branches terminating in four leaves representing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.  "American Defense" is lettered above.  The ribbon is yellow with narrow red, white, and blue stripes near each edge. 

Several clasps were awarded with the medal. [Two claps are shown on the medal above.]  The Navy and Marine Corps each had two clasps, with the "Fleet" clasp awarded for service on vessels of the fleet.  The "Base" clasp was for service on shore at bases and naval stations outside the continental limits of the United States. [This included Alaska and Hawaii at the time.]

On the reverse (back) the inscription "For Service during the Limited Emergency Proclaimed by the President on 8 September 1939 or during the limited emergency proclaimed by the President on 27 May 1941" is given.  Below this inscription is a spray of seven leaves.

Note: the Army had a "Foreign Service" clasp for service outside the continental limits of the United States, and the Coast Guard authorized a "Sea" clasp.  Also, personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who served on board certain vessels operating in actual combat were entitled to a bronze "A" on the medal ribbon.

References:

American War Medals and Decorations, by Evans E. Kerrigan, The Viking Press, N.Y., 1964.

The Call of Duty : Military Awards and Decorations of The United States of America, by John E. Strandberg and Roger James Bender, 1994.

Guidebook of U.S. Medals : A complete guide to the decorations and awards of the United States from 1782 to present, by Evans E. Kerrigan, Medallic Publishing, 1990.

WWII U.S. Campaign Medals (3)

This post gives the third "Campaign Medal" which recognized the global nature of WWII involving hundreds of engagements and campaigns fought by American service personnel.  The following medal called "American Campaign Medal" was awarded for service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.

The obverse [front] depicts a Navy cruiser under full steam with a B-24 bomber flying overhead.  A sinking enemy submarine above three waves is shown under these symbols of America's coastal defenses.  In the background are some buildings representing "the arsenal of democracy". 

The reverse [back] shows an American bald eagle facing left, standing "defiantly" on a rock symbolizing democracy.  The dates 1941 - 1945 are shown along with the words "United States of America".  [This is the same for all of the campaign medals shown before.]

The colors shown on the ribbon have four wide azure blue strips.  The center stripe of dark blue, white, and red represent the United States.  Near each side are narrow stripes of white, red, black.  The red and white represent Japan, and the black and white represent Germany.

References:
American War Medals and Decorations, by Evans E. Kerrigan, p. 97
Guidebook of U.S. Medals, by Evans E. Kerrigan, p. 191.
United States Air force Combat Medals, Steamers, and Campaigns, by A. Timothy Warnock, p.50-55.
The Call of Duty : Military Awards and Decorations of The United States of America, by John E. Strandberg and Roger James Bender, p.205.

WWII U.S. Campaign Medals (2)

This post continues the description of the campaign medals awarded during WWII.  Known as "Theaters of War" the medal shown below represents the largest geographic area during the War, which included Asia, Australia, Alaska, the Pacific Islands, most of the Pacific Ocean, and the eastern half of the Indian Ocean.  It was know as "Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal".

It was awarded for service between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946.  On the front side (obverse) the medal is designed to show an amphibious landing in the tropics, showing two helmeted soldiers holding rifles.  A leafed palm tree overshadowing a landing craft with disembarking troops is immediately in their background.  Three palm trees are shown without their palm leaves.   Further in the distance is depicted a battleship, an aircraft carrier, and a submarine with two aircraft flying overhead.  In a semicircle struck across the top are  the words  ASIATIC PACIFIC CAMPAIGN.

The back side is shown below which is identical to the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign shown last post [a bald eagle perched on a rock with the dates 1941 - 1945, and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.]

The colors of the ribbon are centrally, three vertical stripes of  red, white, and blue representing the United States.  In parallel are two vertical stripes of white, red, and white representing the colors of Japan.  The bright orange-yellow color is representing the tropical Pacific. 

References:

American War Medals and Decorations, Evans E. Kerrigan, p. 98.

United States Air Force Combat Medals, Streamers, and Campaigns, by A. Timothy Warnock, pp. 58 - 127.

The Call of Duty : Military Awards And Decorations Of The United States of America, by John E. Strandberg and Rober James Bender, p.207.

A Letter From The President

Most of the family gathered this past Thanksgiving to share, laugh, hug , remember, and eat...not necessarily in that order.  In a box under my Dad's bed was the following letter that had been stored from many years before.  A real addition to this Thanksgiving...

Buddies

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (p. 143) defines a "buddy" as "companion, partner", or "fellow".  It gives that the word evolved probably from baby talk as a alternative to "brother".  The following pictured dated January 14, 1946 shows a group of "buddies".

It would have been roughly half a year since WWII had ended.  These fellows were in post war Germany, and most all seem to have a smile across their face.  My Dad must have been taking the picture since his smiling face does not appear. 

A "buddy system" is an arrangement in which two individuals are paired as for mutual safety in a hazardous situation.  I would guess that blowing up planes after the war would be considered hazardous since TNT was used most of the time.  My Dad tells a few stories about this activity.  These few buddies were included.

5th Avenue

It was 1946, and being in occupied Germany just after the War would produce all kinds of  emotions.  Something from "home" was always welcomed.  One of those reminders that made being away seem more acceptable to the recipient.   A letter, a postcard, a package, a gift, or any one of the items that reminded you that home indeed did still exist.   The following picture shows such an event.

 5th Avenue candy bar...that Hershey made bit of home that this fellow seems to be enjoying.  The picture was taken by my Dad in Occupied Germany 1946.  This candy bar was first made in 1936, and "contributed to war effort" according to Hersey's own account. [see web site under 5th Avenue]  Well, here is proof that the contribution delivered this affect.  Home, sweet home...way to go 5th Avenue.

From The Air

Prior to the close of WWII, the American industrial complex had produced the war machine.  Tanks, trucks, ships, arms, planes, and all kinds of war materials were made at remarkable speed.  What happened at the end of WWII to all this stuff.   The planes remaining in Germany were blown up all in a row. 

My Dad participated in these activities as part of the Army of Occupation, Germany.  He states that Germany POW's [prisoner of war ] were driven to the air field each day.  They were given TNT in square blocks (about the size of a shoe) that were placed on the wings of a plane.  This was after each plane was stripped of any usable parts. [Platinum from the engines were the major item.]  The following picture shows such a plane as it was ready to blow.

Not much is left to see.  Dad was responsible for setting off the charges some 100 yards from the explosion.

To get a scope of the extent of this process, the following picture was taken from the air.  It shows the field as it stood in 1946.

Planes, planes, and more planes, all lined up in a row, waiting for their final destination.  What a picture from the air it is.  To have survived the war and be blown apart at the end.

Two Days Away

Post cards from friends are a delight.  Here a friend of my Dad mails this in 1945:

The battleship "U.S.S. West Virginia" is shown.  It was mailed from the "Great Lakes Naval Training Center" to "Pvt. Henry E. Jones, 15364821, 3704th A.A.F. Bu, Sqdn. V Class 236, Kesler Field, Miss."  What an address it is.  A name, and a number of numbers, could be difficult to keep straight.

The message on the back is shown:

A "Forgetful buddy" my Dad was.  "Look what you're missing not being in the Navy" it reads.  Check the post mark as it is stamped..."May 6, 10:30 AM, 1945".  Two friends, one in the Navy, and one in the Army Air Force, both just completing their training...two days before Victory in Europe was declared. [May 8th, 1945]  What would it have been like during WWII just two days away from victory in Europe.

The Spitfire

Perhaps no other aircraft in the history of air war is as recognizable as the British Spitfire.  Its graceful  lines, near perfect handling, and eight-gun punch made its mark during the summer of 1940.  Its engine [1 x 1,150 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin], its speed [357 mph], and its range [500 miles] made it one of the most remarkable aircraft of WWII.  The Spitfire remains the symbol of the Battle of Britain.

It was 1946, and here my Dad sits in a Spitfire.  He was among the crews who were responsible for the destruction of many of the aircraft no longer needed for the war effort.  It was post war Germany, and here is a Spitfire sitting on German soil.  What a symbol it is.

Information is taken from: Great Campaigns of World War II, by Longmeadow Press, 1988. [Co-ordinating editor: J.B. Davies]  The picture is taken from a family shoe box full of memories!

Untouched

Pictures from my Dad's collection contained many from his experiences in Germany following WWII.  The following picture has written on the back:  "Inside of the Red Cross at Stuttgart.  A large Opera House at one time - about the only building untouched in Stuttgart."

Untouched after the War in Germany.  A opera house it is.  The Red Cross was using this building to work from in 1946.  "Die Staatstheater" (the opera house) in downtown Stuttgart as it is called today.  A famous historical building as it stands in the middle of town.

A second picture was taken this day in 1946 which has been shown in a previous post.  "Angle of Peace" it is called by my Dad as written on the back.

After some internet searching, I found that the statue stands in front of the Opera House (Die Staatstheater).  The tree line as been removed, but it clearly is the same statue.  It must have been that my Dad took these pictures at the same visit to this untouched building.

The hand writing on the back of each picture is shown above.  Untouched from the time they were placed in the box of pictures.

The Kentucky Winner

At the end of WWII planes were placed on a air field in Germany and destroyed.  On this field, my Dad took this picture of a remaining "Martin B-26 Marauder".

It must have been because the name given to this plane was "Kentucky Winner".  [Being from Winchester, KY himself.] It shows a horse head under the name KENTUCKY and the words WINNER inscribed below.  To have survived with more than 20 bombing runs as depicted on the side of this plane would have been  unbelievable in its own right. Only to be destroyed by dynamite and the scrap metal to be collected, was its final flight.  But, here it is in 1946 at the end of WWII...certainly a Kentucky Winner.

Life Insurance

My Dad is shown in the following picture.  It was 1945 and he was heading to Germany.                                 "Pvt. H.E. Jones, Sqdn M" it states on the bottom tag as shown.                                                                 

                                                                  

 On the reverse it gives a chronology of his life in the military.

Kessler Field March 1945, Armillo Texas August 1945, November boat going to France in 1945, In Germany August 1945-1946, it seems to be reading.

Now near this photograph in the box of family keep sakes is the follow.

Hum..."Veterans Administration National Service Life Insurance" it states proudly.  A premium of "6.50" is written, and a "Policy Number" shown.  Life insurance before heading to Germany during the close of the second world war.  You certainly needed to get things in perspective.  You know...life...death...and what will happen to me...were all important considerations.

Enclosed in this box of keepsakes was the following additional life insurance.

Inside the cover is written:  "Pfc. Henry E. Jones, Landsburg Germany".  It was certainly a different kind of life insurance.

The Hunter

Family photos kept by my Dad are special.  Some 68 years ago the following picture was taken.

Who actually took the photo is unknown, but on the back is written "P-47 to P-51 behind me."  One can see the name "Hunter" angled on the P-47.  The P-51 has a large "A" placed near the tail, and a distinct marking on the tail with a thick dark stripe angled behind three stars.  Other markings can not be clearly visualized. 

Does anyone know the history of these planes?  The "Hunter" it says.  This would be the 9th Air Force, just after WWII in Germany.   Are there any historical hunters out there?

A Bavarian Lake 1946

Third US Army "Tours" it states on this post card from 1946.

"Koenigssee (Royal Lake) near Berchtesgaden, the most beautiful of Bavarian lakes, is entirely surrounded by steep walls of rock.  The lake is 582 ft. deep" is the information on the back of this card.

I don't know how many Bavarian lakes there are.  Does anyone know?  This is one pictured from 1946. My Dad brought this card back home.  A beautiful memory it is.

On Leave

Being in Germany 1946, must have had its unique experiences.  To have a weeks "leave" would certainly bring all the smiles to the faces.  Here are some.

The back row certainly seems all smiling where my Dad stands back row left (looking forward at the picture).  Heading to Switzerland is the plan for these fellows of the 9th Army Air Force.

My Dad collected a lot of post cards from this visit in 1946.  The following is one.

Basel, Munster it says in the lower right.  On the back in small print it reads: "Bale, La Cathedrale".  It would certainly be a place you might want to visit on leave.

The Black Widow

Toward the end of WWII, Northrop produced a night fighter called the P-61.  It was given the name "Black Widow" after the venomous spider.  Wikipedia writes that no P-61 ever engaged in combat with a German jet fighter.  The following photograph of my Dad standing beside a P-61 is shown below.

It was 1946.  It was taken at an airfield near Munch.  On the back of the photo my Dad wrote:

"P-61 with a Jet-German Plane to its credit.  Also called "Black Widow".  Send more pictures in next letter."

Trying to enlarge the picture, I could only produce the following:

It is not very clear, but he is pointing to a marking on the plane that he interpreted as a "Jet-German Plane".  This would seem to suggest that this P-61 took credit for a German jet fighter?  The picture is a clear documentation that at least one P-61 took credit for this activity.

The 424th Night Fighter Squadron, Oberpfaffenhofen Air Depot, near Munich used the P-61.  Does any one out there have information regarding this squadron of the 9th Air Force.  My Dad seemed to think that this P-61 took down a jet.  He was there.

Hotel Jura 1946

Arriving Basle, Switzerland after months in war ravaged Germany 1946, must have been a delight.  My Dad kept a shoe box full of post cards and pictures of the days spent here.  Hotel Jura must have been one special stop over since the following was kept:

It must have been a hotel card to write your name and room number, but you can see that Dad did neither.  It is stated "Opposite main railway station"...well here is a post card he kept...

I assume it is the main railway station at this time.  Very impressive indeed it is...just across the German border.

Now if you needed a watch just "turn over please"...

Here is a list of  "qualified watch maker's shop", and a list of the members of the Swiss Watchmaker's Association of 1946.  There are lots of names here, and there must have been lots of watches.  If you could not afford a watch, the card suggested buying  "Swiss Postage Stamps  as Souvenir".   Also, there were two "Movie-Houses" that presented "the best Original American Films in your own lingo."  Wonder what was showing in 1946 for the Hotel Jura?

Government Issue

What you wear, what you eat, what you shoot, what you sleep upon...etc...etc...are all government issue in this army of occupation 1946.   This theme became the word "G.I." which was applied to all those in this army.

Now who would have thought a few days off would also be G.I. issue.  The above is a copy of such a offer.   It was in a group of post cards that were collected during a visit to Switzerland.   Montreux was one option.   There were five tour options given by the tourist-office Montreux (in the center of the town).  You just had to ask at the hotel where you were staying.

The small pamphlet contained a page shown above. 

       "Does not the sweat smiles of these lovely girls tempt you to take the motor-boat to Montreux-Plague?"

Duh...what do you think...Mr. Tour Guide...

It must have worked for my Dad...here is a post card from the visit.  Montreux-Clarens #987 post card it is.  "Government Issue" it was.