KASTAUFFER Posted June 14, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 14, 2014 I recently acquired this unusual group on Ebay and have begun to research it. He was a crew member of a B-18A Bolo Bomber ( Serial # 36-318) that crashed into the Gulf of Panama on July 16,1942 . The Pilots name was Roy L. Reeve, For this adventure he was granted membership into the Sea Squatters Club. The original pins and cards are much more difficult to find than Caterpillar Club examples. He was also awarded the Air Medal for anti sub patrols he participated in in 1942-43. His Air Medal is officially script hand engraved. Normally examples that are script engraved just have the name on the reverse. This one is Rank/Name/AC format. It is the first I have seen engraved in this manner. He was also awarded the NY Conspicuous Service Cross # 9141 and has been validated by number to have been awarded to him. One other piece of scarce insignia in the group is the Expert Badge with Aerial Gunner and Aerial Bomber bars. It is open catch and has a snowflake back. He earned this badge prior to WWII. This is the first example I have found with the Aerial Bomber bar. He never did make it to Europe or the Pacific, so the only theater ribbon he was awarded is the American Campaign. He began the war as an enlisted man and finished the war as a Flight Officer. He stayed in the Air Force after WWII, but I do not know when he was finally discharged yet, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 14, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted June 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 14, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted June 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 14, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted June 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 14, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted June 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 14, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted June 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 14, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 14, 2014 Kurt, Very nice little grouping. I really like medals to aviators of the more obsolete aircraft. Any idea how many B-18 Bolos were lost during the war? Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wartimecollectables.com Posted June 14, 2014 Share #8 Posted June 14, 2014 VERY NEAT group! Thanks for sharing this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted June 15, 2014 Share #9 Posted June 15, 2014 Very FINE and RARE grouping, Kurt. Congrats, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted June 15, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 15, 2014 That is super cool! That Sea Squatters pin and card is fantastic. I've been looking for one for years. They are super rare though. Congrats!! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted June 15, 2014 Thanks everyone, glad you have enjoyed seeing this group. From what I can determine @72 B-18 aircraft were lost in WWII, mostly in accidents. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted June 15, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 15, 2014 Nice color photo of him on Find A Grave. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted June 15, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 15, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 15, 2014 A needle in a hay stack that was right out in front of everyone. Amazing find and love the history. Thanks Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted June 15, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 15, 2014 I know! I must have been sleeping!!!haha I have seen a couple other pins over the years, but never the card. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted June 16, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 16, 2014 I like the script engraving a lot. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted June 17, 2014 Share #17 Posted June 17, 2014 He was discharged from the USAF in Dec. 1952 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted June 17, 2014 Share #18 Posted June 17, 2014 All of this was on Ebay.....?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted June 17, 2014 The entire group was indeed on Ebay 2 weeks ago. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted June 17, 2014 Share #20 Posted June 17, 2014 Kurt, Nice pick up...thanks for posting. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted August 12, 2019 Share #21 Posted August 12, 2019 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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