WWII US Navy VF-17 JOLLY ROGERS Posthumous Air Medal / Purple Heart Group

[KASTAUFFER]

I posted this group years ago on the "other" forum , and since then have done quite a bit of research and have added a new item recently to the group so I thought I should post it again.

 

It is an officially engraved posthumous WWII US Navy Purple Heart / Air Medal group to Lt(JG) Donald T. " Don" Malone . He was a fighter pilot with VF-17 which was a Corsair squadron that served in the SW Pacific ( and a very well known one! ) . Their nickname was " The Jolly Rogers". Lt Malone was shot down by a zeke on 2/4/44 near Tobera field on Rabaul shortly after attacking the airfield. He was seen bailing out of the plane, but was never seen again.

 

In their five months of action in the Solomons, the Jolly Rogers shot down 8 Japanese planes for every Corsair lost. They flew 8,577 combat hours, destroyed 156 planes and 5 ships for a loss of 12 pilots. Unfortunately Don was one of the casualties.

 

The squadron had 12 aces, more than any other naval unit. As the tide of the war in the Pacific turned, VF-17 was there.

 

 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

Photo of Aviation Cadet Malone

 

[KASTAUFFER]

 

[KASTAUFFER]

These documents are imperitive to establish exactly when The Air Medal and Purple Heart were engraved and issued.

 

This first document is the recommendation for the posthumous award of the Air Medal submitted by the squadron commander Tommy Blackburn. It is basically a history or Malone's service with the squadron.

 

[KASTAUFFER]

[KASTAUFFER]

The transmittal letter for the permanent citation and award of the Air Medal itself. It was engraved and shipped in Nov. 1944.

 

[KASTAUFFER]

[KASTAUFFER]

The Transmittal letter for the Purple Heart. It is a Type III Purple Heart with a slot brooch. Even though he was MIA in Jan 1944, he was not declared dead until 1946 . The Purple Heart was issued shortly after.

 

[KASTAUFFER]

The official casualty report

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

Now for the rest of the story.

 

I acquired the medals in 2005.

 

Forum member JDK recently contacted me asking for help in researching some WWII Aviation Green uniforms he had acquired recently in an auction. One of the names jumped out at me........... D. T. MALONE .

 

He graciously allowed me to acquire the uniform, and now it is back together with the medals!!!!

 

Thank you JD!!!!

 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

[KASTAUFFER]

Hard to fake the name on a label with the embroidered initials on the Tailor label match the name on the tag inside!

 

 

 

The tag is dated 9/22/42 . Don earned his wings in December 1942 . He would have had this uniform tailored while an Aviation Cadet ( sans Ensign rank ) prior to his commissioning .

[KASTAUFFER]

This thread is dedicated to the outstanding pilots and heros of VF-17. Everyone knows about service of The Black Sheep (VMF-214) , however VF-17 shot down even more planes and created more aces. VMF-214 produced nine fighter aces with 97 confirmed air-to-air kills. VF-17 had 12 aces and 156 Kills.

 

Kurt

[dhcoleterracina]

Wow, I'm glad you were able to get some of it back together.

[JDK]

Glad it has been re-united Kurt. It is where it belongs. I appreciate all your help in the years I've been a member here! :thumbsup:

JD

[KASTAUFFER]

Glad it has been re-united Kurt. It is where it belongs. I appreciate all your help in the years I've been a member here! :thumbsup:

JD

 

 

No problem JD and many thanks for sending his uniform my way!

 

Kurt

[KASTAUFFER]

[Jack's Son]

Kurt,

You have every reason to be proud of this group. You consistently uncover top quality, well researched and presented material. This doesn't happen by accident!! :thumbsup:

[KASTAUFFER]

Kurt,

You have every reason to be proud of this group. You consistently uncover top quality, well researched and presented material. This doesn't happen by accident!! :thumbsup:

 

Thanks Robin! After I got his uniform, I knew I had to post it

 

Kurt

[vicjoy1945]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

Fantastic pair to one heckuva fighter pilot !! Is the paperwork original or copies requested out of St. Louis !?! Just curious as I've had some research performed and returned on WWII Navy pilots where the citations and supporting paperwork for medals was NOT in their service jacket...or at least they weren't copied !!

 

I have the citations based on the Navy award cards but nothing out of St. Louis...strange !?!

 

Vic

[KASTAUFFER]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

Fantastic pair to one heckuva fighter pilot !! Is the paperwork original or copies requested out of St. Louis !?! Just curious as I've had some research performed and returned on WWII Navy pilots where the citations and supporting paperwork for medals was NOT in their service jacket...or at least they weren't copied !!

 

I have the citations based on the Navy award cards but nothing out of St. Louis...strange !?!

 

Vic

 

Those are copies out of St. Louis. I went there and had the pleasure of digging through his whole service record!

 

Kurt

[Navy Dan]

As Always another outstanding group congrats !!!

Can you post a picture of the whole medals.

Regards

Dan

[trenchbuff]

Totally awesome group. The research is really something!

[History Man]

Kurt,

 

That is an outstanding group! I really like groups from the USN Squadrons.

 

Philip

[jmar]

Hi Kurt!

 

I second Robin's comments, they are so well put I can't elaborate. All I can do is thank you for giving us another glimpse into your inspiring collection, I really enjoy visiting it!

 

Best wishes always,

 

Joe