Unusual Cloth Command Pilot Wings

[DMD]

I just got these. They aren't your typical cloth wings. The seller said they came From the estate of General Alfred R. Maxwell, USAF. No other information.

 

Opinions?

[DMD]

2.

[DMD]

3.

[DMD]

4.

[DMD]

The colors are off on all the photos because I did an autocorrect on Picture Manager. The wings are cream colored instead of the white that the photos show, and the khaki twill is a lighter shade than shown.

 

About how old are the wings and where were they made?

[pconrad02]

Very nicely done and older and if it's this Maxwell http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0RB...ual/ai_n8567075 he was a command pilot . I like them!

[DMD]

Well, here's his picture. Pretty serious looking character! And a graduate of MIT, very impressive. This is an edited bio:

 

"General Maxwell graduated from Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, in September 1929. Assigned to the 95th Pursuit Squadron at Rockwell Field, Calif., the following month, on Nov. 21, 1929, he was transferred to the Air Corps.

 

Going to Nichols Field Philippine Islands, in January 1935, the general served with the Second Observation Squadron of the Fourth Composite Group, assuming command of the Second in October 1937.

 

Assigned as a test pilot at Wright Field, Ohio, in February 1938, General Maxwell entered the Air Corps Engineering School there in July 1938, and graduated a year later. Receiving his master of science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June 1940, he returned to Wright Field as assistant commandant of the Engineering School.

 

Moving to Europe in February 1944, General Maxwell was designated director of operations of the U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe. In July 1945 he returned to Air Corps Headquarters as chief of the Requirements Division, Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations. Entering the National War College in July 1947, he graduated a year later and assumed command of the Marianas Air Materiel Area. Appointed commander of the 19th Bomb Wing at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, in June 1949, the general moved with it to Guam a month later, and that November was named chief of staff of the 20th Air Force on Okinawa.

 

Transferred to the Air Research and Development Command in July 1950, General Maxwell was appointed deputy commanding general. Assuming command of Detachment A of that command in December 1950, the following May he moved in that capacity to Baltimore, Md. In July 1951, the general became vice commander, Air Research and Development Command, and that September assumed additional duty as assistant for operational systems.

 

The General retired from active duty on May 17, 1957.

 

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star; French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre; and the Order of the British Empire (Honorary Commander). He is rated a command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer."

[DMD]

Here is a close-up of his wings and ribbons. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star; French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre; and the Order of the British Empire (Honorary Commander).