KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 24, 2011 I just acquired a large trunk group to a Bombardier who flew with the 303rd Bomb Group during the early days of the 8th AAF from November 1942 to May 1943 with the crew of a B-17 named SKY WOLF . He was lucky to have survived his 25 missions as the completion rate was very LOW during this time frame. 15 missions were as part of the LEAD CREW. My favorite piece in this group is his early 8th AAF Certificate of Valor issued to him and signed by General Ira Eaker after he completed his 25 missions.His DFC is officially named and numbered . His Air Medal is number 313 in the original untitled leather box. This box is different than most untitled boxes you will see. The tab that holds the medal is very thin, the gold printing on the case is of a slightly different font , and the lapel tab holder flips back and forth.In addition to Bombardier wings there are also Observer wings in the group. Bombardiers wore these wings before the Bombardier wing was authorized. The small set of wings is marked STERLING BY CORO . The Observer wings are Juarez style coin silver wings. The Bombardier wings are just marked Sterling.Here are some crew photosThe Bombardier is in the back row, far right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted July 24, 2011 Bombardier is at the far right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted July 24, 2011 The small photo is from his escape kit. I have a few of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted July 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted July 24, 2011 Nice English made ribbon bar for the DFC. He was probably presented this in the ETO and the officially named DFC sent to him and presented after he came back to the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted July 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted July 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted July 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted July 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted July 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 24, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 24, 2011 WOW Kurt! This is truly an exceptional group!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted July 24, 2011 There is information about his crew here: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-morales.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted July 24, 2011 Here are the 303rd missions he flew on with the corresponding Mission Numbers for the group. 1. Nov 17, 1942 St Nazaire, France 4, Nov 23, 1942 St Nazaire, France 5, Dec 06, 1942 Lille, France 8, Dec 30, 1942 Lorient (Keroman), France 10, Jan 13, 1943 Lille, France 12, Jan 27, 1943 Wilhelmshaven, Germany - LEAD CREW 13,Feb 02, 1943 Hamm, Germany (cxl-WX) 14, Feb 04, 1943 Osnabruck, Germany 15, Feb 14, 1943 Hamm, Germany (cxl-WX) 16, Feb 16, 1943 St Nazaire, France 17, Feb 26, 1943 Wilhelmshaven, Germany 18, Feb 27, 1943 Brest, France - LEAD CREW 19,Mar 04, 1943 Rotterdam, Holland - LEAD CREW 22, Mar 12, 1943 Rouen, France 23, Mar 13, 1943 Amiens/Longeau, France 24, Mar 18, 1943 Vegesack, Germany - LEAD CREW 25, Mar 22, 1943 Wilhelmshaven, Germany 26, Mar 28, 1943 Rouen, France - LEAD CREW HIGH 27, Mar 31, 1943 Rotterdam, Netherlands - LEAD CREW HIGH 28, Apr 04, 1943 Paris, France - LEAD CREW 29, Apr 05, 1943 Antwerp, Belgium - LEAD CREW 31, Apr 17, 1943 Bremen, Germany - LEAD CREW 34, May 13, 1943 Meaulte, France - LEAD CREW 35, May 14, 1943 Kiel, Germany 36, May 15, 1943 Heligoland Island, Germany - LEAD CREW 37, May 17, 1943 Lorient, France - LEAD CREW 38, May 19, 1943 Kiel, Germany - LEAD CREW 39, May 21, 1943 Wilhelmshaven, Germany - LEAD CREW 40 May 29, 1943 St Nazaire, France - LEAD CREW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FW12 Posted July 24, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 24, 2011 Amazing, Kurt, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted July 24, 2011 Share #15 Posted July 24, 2011 Kurt, An extremely complete grouping, this is what a "trunk group" is suppose to look like. Excellent display and history rolled into this one trunk. Another nice one! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1-1944 Posted July 24, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 24, 2011 Very nice!! Thanks for showing. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted July 25, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 25, 2011 Kurt, This is an amazing group and I am thrilled that you were able to uncover it. The low numbered AM is especially nice, not that a numbered DFC isn't a good piece in and of itself. The group looks just like you would want a group to look right out of the woodwork. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted July 25, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 25, 2011 Fabulous, complete early 8th AF grouping with all the desirable bells & whistles. Congrats, Kurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted July 25, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 25, 2011 Awesome find Kurt! Great history there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted July 25, 2011 Share #20 Posted July 25, 2011 Holy SMOKES! a DREAM find - CONGRATZ!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted July 25, 2011 Share #21 Posted July 25, 2011 Nice find! Well done mate! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicjoy1945 Posted July 25, 2011 Share #22 Posted July 25, 2011 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Outstanding grouping Kurt !! Me like :thumbsup: Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted July 25, 2011 Share #23 Posted July 25, 2011 Great, it seems the trunk groups are becoming somewhat scarce these days! So excellent find and documentation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHolly Posted July 25, 2011 Share #24 Posted July 25, 2011 Congratulations on a great find! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted July 25, 2011 Share #25 Posted July 25, 2011 Very nice group Kurt. You're right, early war bomber crew groups are tough to get a hold of. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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