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Post your formal Air Service, Air Corps and AAF formal portraits here.


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AAF_Collection

As an AAF collector whose main interest is in the people behind the artifacts, as well as uniforms and insignia I find myself naturally drawn to portrait photos as they often combine all the elements which interest me most, and often also provide important clues about when particular uniforms or insignia were worn.

 

I'm going to post a small selection of my AAF portrait photo collection, all of which are original prints from the period. If you have a portrait you feel would fit into this thread please feel free to add it!.

 

Let's start with the boss himself, General of the Army Henry H. Arnold.

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An as yet unidentified Air Service Command Colonel. He is clearly a decorated WWI veteran, can anyone ID him?.

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Another unidentified ASC officer. Take a close look at his ribbons, plus the British or Commonwealth wing on his right chest.

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Another theme I enjoy collecting are portraits by studios overseas. Here is an example by a London photographer, unfortunately the Eighth Air Force Corporal is not identified.

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Unfortunately this picture of a Lt. pilot has suffered over the years, but is still within the studio folder from Nottingham, England.

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An unidentified 15th Air Force gunner. The photo is dated Dec. 25, 1944. Note the blue backing he wears behind his wing.

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Sgt. Wagn Eskelund, 5th Air Sea Rescue Sqn. 5th Air Force, December 1945. Wagn Eskelund was born in Denmark in 1915 and entered service in April 1943 from Los Angeles.

 

The second photo shows him in what appears to be ROTC uniform.

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Some really nice portraits there. Love the one of Hap Arnold wearing the Type 1 pilots badge

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Photo of airman by Hal Owen Studio in Oklahoma City, OK. Most likely in training at the Norman Air Technical Training Center in Norman, OK during WW2.

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I have more to add, but these three will have to be the start. All from the same B-24 crew, 736th BS, 454th BG. Their 24 was shot down by flak on February 14, 1945 over Vienna, Austria. A lead crew of 12 men, 7 died, 5 were POWs.

 

First is the pilot Captain Richard Fry of East Sparta, Ohio. He was killed by the flak shell that exploded in the cockpit.

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