9th AAF pilot's tailored battle dress to DSC recipient.

[wartimecollectables.com]

I picked up this custom tailored 9^th AAF Captains battle dress Ike with a fine set of ribbons including a DSC. It’s from an old collection and many of the pieces have unfortunately had their attribution separated from the item before the collection was sold. Close scrutiny assures me this jacket is right. But who’s was it?!

[wartimecollectables.com]

There were 73 DSC’s awarded to the men of the 9^th AAF in WWII. Beginning with that list I removed the names of men who received posthumous awards, the men with OLC’s to their DSC’s, and enlisted men. I also removed the names of those who held rank above Captain at the time of award. That narrowed down the list to 12 men. Of those, mostly fighter pilots, I ruled out those that held previous Silver Star awards not present on this ribbon rack.

 

 

[wartimecollectables.com]

From that small list, there was only one who earned the Purple Heart…

TALBOTT, CARLOS MAURICE Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Carlos Maurice Talbott (0-25797), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 397th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 11 September 1944, during an air mission over in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Captain Talbott found his squadron of P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes outnumbered three to one by German fighters over Belgium. The Luftwaffe fighters were flying at 20,000 feet, well above their intended American targets, and had positioned themselves to block the return to the base of the Thunderbolts, which were low on fuel and ammunition. Captain Talbott ended up alone at 15,000 feet after losing his element leader and wingman, but he still downed two German fighters and disrupted the enemy formation's attack before his plane was shot down. As Captain Talbott parachuted to the ground, he was amazed to see the four pursuing Luftwaffe pilots salute him before flying away. Captain Talbott's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 97 (1944)
Born: January 28, 1920 at Charleston, Illinois
Home Town: Charleston, Illinois
DSC, DFC, AM, PH
Military Academy

 

 

[katieony]

Andrew,

Great detective work!

Mike

[Timberwolf]

What a sweet uniform!

[Dakota]

Great piece!

[Kadet]

Nice looking jacket, but IMO there are some things that would need to be confirmed first. Talbott was a regular officer and USMA graduate. He also went on to a career in the Army/USAF and made General. He should be listed in the Army Registers up to 1947 or so. The earlier entries list awards and dates of rank, which would be useful. The ARCOM seems a little odd, and isn't listed on his Wiki bio (not definitive). Especially with no WWII Victory Medal. He was apparently commissioned from the USMA in 1943, so unless West Point cadets were awarded the American Defense medal for service prior to Pearl harbor, that ribbon doesn't fit either. Also, for such a highly decorated fighter pilot, the # of Air Medals seems off.

[Kadet]

Here are his awards from his official USAF Bio. Current as of 1973. Also his portrait. I do see the American Defense ribbon on there, and he has an AF Comm. listed (think these were sometimes converted from ARCOMs). He doesn't seem to have flown combat after WWII, so IMO the # of Air Medals doesn't match up. I would see what the 1946 and 1947 registers say. They may list his WWII awards prior to and during the USAAF transition to the USAF

 

 

 

"He is a command pilot, has flown more than 4,500 hours, and during World War II flew 96 combat missions. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Cross; Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Purple Heart; Golden Cross of the Royal Order of Phoenix (Greece); Korean Medal of Merit; from the Republic of Vietnam the National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class, Armed Forces Honor Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class; Order of Cloud and Banner, Republic of China; and Air Force Wings of Turkey, China and Republic of Vietnam. "

[JDK]

Whether a confirmed ID can be made or not, that is still a very nice uniform. Thanks for sharing it!

 

JD

[Nack]

There were 73 DSC’s awarded to the men of the 9^th AAF in WWII.

 

 

Is this list online somewhere?

[Kadet]

Here is his entry from the 1946 Army register. In 1946 he had the AM and 15 OLCs. No ARCOM listed

[usaaf93]

Great research.

Thanks for sharing

[wartimecollectables.com]

 

Is this list online somewhere?

 

There are several on line sources to DSC recipient lists but as far as stats go I think you'd have to narrow down from what's on the web. My source of 73 is

DECORATIONS AWARDED BY THE US ARMY TO ARMY AND NON-ARMY PERSONNEL 7 DECEMBER 1941 THROUGH 30 JUNE 1957: A STATISTICAL SURVEY By Jeffrey Floyd. OMSA Medal Notes #2. I only pull this book out a few times a year but when I do it's usually the ONLY source for the info I get and I find it an invaluable tool in my library.

[wartimecollectables.com]

OK Two possibilities on this being Talbot's uniform and both are equally valid. 1) The ARCOM at the time it was on this uniform was a Citation for a the Army Commendation Ribbon and was not a "medal", and like the PUC won't necessarily be reported in the Officer's Registry bio until after it become the Army Commendation Medal and it's likely that if this is Talbot's, by the time that occurred the Air Force Commendation Medal was instituted and he is shown wearing that one. 2) It ain't his uniform! I'm not sure how to research the first option without his full file in hand. I did find that more of Talbot's uniforms are in collector hands.

 

Another possible candidate came out in my research though! The first few bio's I found didn't mention a Purple Heart but that didn't make sense as his DSC citation mentions being wounded. Looking at his West Point Registry (yep another Academy Grad) the PH (and ARCOM) are verified. What think ye?

ATKINSON, PAUL G. Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Paul G. Atkinson, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of an A-26 Medium Bomber in the NINTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 23 January 1945, against enemy ground targets in Europe. Just prior to starting a bomb run, Captain Atkinson's aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire. He was struck in the face and his bombardier's leg was almost severed. Despite these tremendous obstacles, he made the bombing run with excellent results. Then, since the bombardier was not able to bail out, he successfully made a crash landing once he got over friendly territory. His extraordinary heroism saved the life of the bombardier. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Atkinson on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 55 (1945)
Home Town: Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Military Academy

 

 

[Dave]

Atkinson has a pretty thorough obit...you may be able to contact one of his kids to see if it's his uniform...

[Dave]

His USMA memorial page...very thorough...

 

http://apps.westpointaog.org/Memorials/Article/13567/

[Nack]

 

There are several on line sources to DSC recipient lists but as far as stats go I think you'd have to narrow down from what's on the web. My source of 73 is

DECORATIONS AWARDED BY THE US ARMY TO ARMY AND NON-ARMY PERSONNEL 7 DECEMBER 1941 THROUGH 30 JUNE 1957: A STATISTICAL SURVEY By Jeffrey Floyd. OMSA Medal Notes #2. I only pull this book out a few times a year but when I do it's usually the ONLY source for the info I get and I find it an invaluable tool in my library.

 

Gotcha - thanks!

[Dave]

So the problem with the idea of Atkinson is this:

 

1. He had 11 Air Medals by 1948 (see Register entry below) the uniform either reflects 2 or 6, depending on if the olc is silver or not. Either way, not 11.

 

2. No PH or ARCOM are listed in the 1948 Register (and the ARCOM was a medal by this time). I assume he had to apply for, and was awarded, the PH later in his career, as it is not here in 1948.

 

3. According to the 416th BG website, it does not appear that they received a DUC - and three of them are on this uniform.

 

4. He was a Major in November 1945, and would have still been wearing this uniform, yet it was never promoted. A theory could be that he didn't wear this uniform when he returned to the US...but then the question would be: why are the ribbons and wings still on it?

 

One thing I'm not making a point of is the star on his American Defense. It could have gotten there on accident, but given that he was a Class of 1943 at the USMA, Atkinson would not have been entitled to the star on his Am Def.

 

So at this point, I'm leaning toward it not being Atkinson's. There are too many inconsistencies to explain on it, especially for a uniform that he would have continued to wear until he transitioned over to the USAF. For the pilots who "bailed" from the USAAF in 1945 and 1946, the fact that they have missing insignia on their uniforms can be explained. However, for a career guy that theory isn't sufficient.

 

This is fun! I hope we can find the guy!

 

Dave

[Dave]

Forgot his Register entry...

 

 

[5thwingmarty]

Do the four hash marks on the lower sleeve indicate two years service overseas? If so, would someone who graduated from West Point in 1943 have been able to complete full pilot training and then get overseas quickly enough to serve two years in combat? I think full pilot training took about a year to complete.

[Dave]

Do the four hash marks on the lower sleeve indicate two years service overseas? If so, would someone who graduated from West Point in 1943 have been able to complete full pilot training and then get overseas quickly enough to serve two years in combat? I think full pilot training took about a year to complete.

 

Good thought...the overseas bars were authorized (earned) up to September 1946 though. Technically, since Atkinson went to the ETO in early 1944 (he was there for the D-Day landings) he could have easily remained on occupation duty through March/April 1946 and earned four stripes. Of course, he should have an Occupation ribbon on the bars, but that's not one that I'd really be concerned about (most people regarded it more of a "gimmie" medal, and they are not infrequently missing on period ribbons...)

[wartimecollectables.com]

4. He was a Major in November 1945, and would have still been wearing this uniform, yet it was never promoted. A theory could be that he didn't wear this uniform when he returned to the US.

 

I don't sweat some general inconsistencies of awards' such as o/s bars and number of oakleaves (not to belittle 11or 16 Air Medals!) but experience tells me that these things are often incorrect when comparing stats and uniforms HOWEVER the note above from Dave.is pretty solid to me that this isn't the second "nominees" uniform. I still believe it's my first gents uniform and the ARCOM was converted to AFCOM.

Here are the remaining possibilities, I didn't find PH awards for any of these men but might have been overlooked.

CAMERON, WILLIAM R. Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to William R. Cameron, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 67th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Major Caldwell flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cameron on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
War Department, General Orders No. 16 (1944)
Home Town: Hanford, California

HOLBURY, ROBERT J. Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert J. Holbury, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a Reconnaissance Airplane in the 10th Photo Reconnaissance Group, NINTH Air Force, while participating in a photographic reconnaissance mission over enemy-controlled territory in the European Theater of Operation. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Holbury on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 29 (1945)
Born: at Avon Lake, Ohio
Home Town: Avon, Ohio

MILLER, ROBERT E. Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert E. Miller, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Miller flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. Despite heavy enemy fire that that badly damaged his bomber, Captain Miller with great valor and aerial skill kept his ship airborne until it could be diverted for an emergency landing at Malta without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Miller on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 90 (1943)

PHILLIPS, REGINALD H. Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Reginald H. Phillips, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 506th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Phillips flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Phillips on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 90 (1943)
Home Town: Lindsay, Oklahoma

ROCHE, JOHN R. Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John R. Roche, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93d Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Roche flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Roche on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 88 (1943)

 

WARD, EMERY M. Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Emery M. Ward, Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 567th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Ward flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ward on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)

 

 

[TBMflyer]

You can scratch Cameron, Miller, Phillips, Roche and Ward from your list as these guys were just attached to the 9th AF for a brief time for the Ploesti raid of Aug 1, 1943. All the units; the 44th, 93rd and 389th were from the 8th AF and these guys would have worn that SSI.

Mark

[Dave]

http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/holbury.html

 

Great pic of Holbury...no PH or American Defense...I'd say it wasn't his...

[wartimecollectables.com]

So we are back to the first name, Carlos Maurice Talbott.