U.S. Army Air Forces

Say what?  Army...Air Forces...the U.S. Army Air Forces...I thought the Army was on the ground, and the Air Forces were in the sky.  Well, lets get some things worked out.

In 1908, the U.S. Army purchased their first aircraft.   The 1st Aero Squadron of the Aviation Section, U.S. Army Signal Corps it was called.  It was the first American unit to gain air combat experience in the Mexican Expedition forces of March 14, 1916 - February 7, 1917.

In World War I it became the U.S. Army Air Service, and flew in 8 campaigns on the Western Front.

By World War II it was called the U.S. Army Air Forces, and flew in three theaters of war: 1) The American Theater, 2) the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and 3) the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.

This is the patch that came from my Dad's uniform during the U.S. Army Air Forces era.  The European-African-Middle Eastern theater it was.

The Ninth Air Force it was.  The above shows a pin from the era, and the symbol of the Ninth.  A five point star carried by wings is on the patch.  A nine in a gold circle carried by wings is on the pin.

I believe it was in 1947 that the U.S. Air Force became to its own.   Finally off the ground and into the air.

[The information given above is taken from: United States Air Force, Combat Medals, Streamers, and Campaigns, by A. Timothy Warnock.  For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Goverment Printing Office, Washington, D.C., published 1990. ]

Didn't Get Away

May - 1909, South Cramden, Wisconsin, is written on the back of this picture.

The ones that did not get away is certainly shown.  Three fellas are standing with their catch of the day.  No names are recorded, but they appear somewhat fatigued after hanging all these fish.

Granny Ewen (my grandmother) told of a time when her family went to Wisconsin to live. [She was a Morton then.]  It must have been a real change from the mountain life in Kentucky.  I guess this photograph was taken during this family adventure.  Lots of fish there are to be cleaned, eaten, and stashed away for those long winter nights.  She told me that they could only take one winter, and back to Kentucky they came, but not before all these fish that didn't get away.

Ms Blue Racer Revisited

For a split second, time can be caught in a picture.  The memory can then be relived in the imagination of the one who finds this picture.   Such is the one shown below.

Ms Blue Racer and siblings. The story has been told in previous posts: 1) "The Blue Racer", Tuesday, July 13, 2010, and 2) "Ms Blue Racer and Family", Tuesday, September 28, 2010.


Here she stands.  A little older, and probably much wiser, in the treatment of snakes and such creatures.  She is shown with her younger siblings and a couple of neighbor children.   They are in front of the rail road track that ran next to their house at Slade, Kentucky.  Rail road tracts were common during this time, and folks would ride the train to come to Natural Bridge which was just up the road.
There is a rest stop now just off the Mountain Parkway that occupies this location in Powell County, KY.   But here, in this picture, my imagination joins them this summer day.  A train will soon pass, and time will move on down the rail.   Hello Ms Blue Racer and friends...revisited. 

Sam's Dragon

Thoughts and ideas come and go.  Something in the mind produces these activities which often help organize a belief or opinion.  Creativity is frequently a result, and human expression comes into existence.  The power to imagine...what a deal!

When the thought of "Grandpa" comes to mind what ideas enter the arena.  For each of us these may be a variety of memories and emotions.  Some may be good, and some may be bad.  For my eight year old grandson the follow is one expression.

"Dear Grandpa" it begins.  "I hope you enjoy this dragon." it goes on to say.  " Love, Sam." is the ending.  A wonderful dragon it is Sam!  I love it.  Grandpa...:-)).

War Ration Wallet - WWII (part 8) Victory

The final page in the War Ration Wallet is shown below.  United for VICTORY is the message for the home front.  All smiles are shown fading back into the large "V".  Remember what the rationing is accomplishing for the war effort.

Doing without...hmmm...a new concept.

War Ration Wallet- WWII (part 7) Waste Fats

The need is urgent as the next page states.   Save your "Waste Fats".  Not a single drop of bacon grease, meat drippings, frying fat, etc., etc...every kind in use is to be saved.  Don't throw away a single drop.  Read why below:

Today we are certainly saving our "fats", but it seems that it is around the waist.

War Ration Wallet-WWII (part 6) Conserve

The next pages of the wallet show "Roasted Coffee Credits" and a suggestion to "Share Your Car".  Conserve gas, tires, and autos is the motto.

Office of Price Administration must have gotten into many lives and households during this period of our history.  Also, Shenandoah, Iowa must have been a busy place.  Conserve!  Recycle is the motto now.