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WWII Early 8th AAF Trunk Group , 303rd BG - Uniforms, Named Medals, LB Certificate


KASTAUFFER
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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 photos

The Bombardier is in the back row, far right.

zas1.jpg

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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.

 

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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

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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:

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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

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Fabulous, complete early 8th AF grouping with all the desirable bells & whistles. Congrats, Kurt.

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CNY Militaria

Great, it seems the trunk groups are becoming somewhat scarce these days! So excellent find and documentation.

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