USAF Summer Mess Dress Uniform

[DutchInfid3l]

A 1960s USAF summer mess dress jacket and pants with warrant officer 2 shoulder boards, Amico Sterling marked USN aircrew badge with 3 gold stars, an air medal, Army commendation medal, Asiatic-pacific campaign medal, American Campaign medal, China service medal and National defense. They are a bit out of order, there's a bit of, black tape? even though they are all sewn together with different colored thead on a medal ribbon bar with odd clutch backs.

As of right now it's not named, seller had previously mentioned they might be able to find out, I've sent an email asking if still possible, hopefully so.

[ctbergy]

The commendation medal looks more like the Navy and Marine Corps version. The Army version has smaller verticle stripes down the middle. It's an interesting set up. I like the WO boards but the rest looks like a put together without any documentation.

 

Chris

[seanmc1114]

The Navy Commendation and China Service Medals definitely fit with the Navy wings. It is possible that someone who had served in the Navy might transfer to the Air Force. Does anyone know if the aircrew wings were authorized for permanent wear once earned or were they only worn while on flight status in a Navy aircrew? Also, if they were authorized for permanent wear, were they also authorized by Air Force regs for wear on an Air Force uniform?

[DutchInfid3l]

Ah yes, it is a Navy commendation, my mistake. I guess that would make more sense, considering. Thanks!

[Wailuna]

...1960s USAF summer mess dress jacket...with warrant officer 2 shoulder boards...

Can you verify the color of metallic trim fields on the rank bars (I can't tell from the monitor)? If silver, this was a CWO4. If gold, CWO2. I any case, this is a great uniform and it would be an excellent addition to the all too brief USAF warrant officer coverage in the USAF transitional era thread (and do you mind if I borrow some of these images to post at that thread? Link here.)

[sigsaye]

The Navy Commendation and China Service Medals definitely fit with the Navy wings. It is possible that someone who had served in the Navy might transfer to the Air Force. Does anyone know if the aircrew wings were authorized for permanent wear once earned or were they only worn while on flight status in a Navy aircrew? Also, if they were authorized for permanent wear, were they also authorized by Air Force regs for wear on an Air Force uniform?

Those are actually Combat Air Crew Wings and are n

more of an award than a qualification. The wings themselves were awarded for participation in an air engagement with a star added for every engagement after.

 

In the early 1950s, the Air Force actively recruited Navy personnel in order to fill its ranks with trained technictions. I have known many AF personnel (including, sadely my father) who started in the Navy. On a personal note, after his enlistement in the AF, my father returned to the Navy and finished his career. We seldom speak of his youthfull lack of judgement

 

Steve Hesson

[Lee Ragan]

I like the WO boards but the rest looks like a put together without any documentation.

 

Chris

I too suspect this is a put-together, but we've all seen these weird combinations that proved to be right as rain.

[DutchInfid3l]

Can you verify the color of metallic trim fields on the rank bars (I can't tell from the monitor)? If silver, this was a CWO4. If gold, CWO2. I any case, this is a great uniform and it would be an excellent addition to the all too brief USAF warrant officer coverage in the USAF transitional era thread (and do you mind if I borrow some of these images to post at that thread? Link here.)

Sorry about the delay, just noticed that you had remarked after looking at older posts.

My mistake after double checking they are in fact CWO4. This one is Silver thread with blue. They have a bit of an off color to them, but they are definitely silver.

And by all means use the images as you like!

[Bluehawk]

...In the early 1950s, the Air Force actively recruited Navy personnel in order to fill its ranks with trained technictions. I have known many AF personnel...

Quite a number of USN flyers served with the USAF during Vietnam, too.

 

For example, USAF Major Robert Graham Bell:

 

1. Major Bell (svc no. 23271A) Entered the AF 3 June 1952. The AF Register lists him as a pilot and notes that he was a graduate of the US Naval Academy (confirmed by the USNA Register of Graduates), so possibly more data through that route.

--------------------------------------------

2. Major Bell was a casualty of the tragic 16 May 1965 incident at Bien Hoa AB SVN.

 

A USAF B-57 exploded while waiting for take-off and started a chain reaction of destruction amongst the other fueled and armed aircraft. I think some 27 men were killed. One of those caught in the destruction was Maj Bell. He was on exchange to the Navy (his alma mater) as an F-8 pilot with VF-162 and, developing an inflight fuel leak, had opted for an emergency landing at Bien Hoa rather than land on his ship, USS Oriskany. He landed minutes before the explosion and was killed on the flightline.

 

I read about Major Bell's fate in "Captain Hook, A Pilot's Tragedy and Triumph in the Vietnam War" by Captain Wynn F. Foster, USN

 

(Steindaddie)

[Lee Ragan]

The question I have is why only a single Air Medal awarded and there are 3 stars on the Combat Aircrew badge. My understanding from an old friend who was a Naval Aircrewman, was that it's very rare to see anyone with 3 stars on those wings. Those little stars are hard to earn. I would suspect this guy would have multiple Air Medals also. Just a thought. This could be a put-together but like someone said, we've all seen these weird combinations that were right as rain.

An old style Air Force CWO mess dress uniform is indeed a rare bird.

[Garth Thompson]

Come on guys, just because something is a little different than what the collecting community thinks is right and proper doesn't mean it is a put together or a fake.

This uniform looks exactly like what a dual service (USAF/USN) veteran would have. He may have changed services because promotion to the rank of Warrant Officer wasn't obtainable in the navy for his rate in that time frame and the AF offered more rapid promotion.

 

As to the stars on the Combat Aircrew badge:

 

"“The Combat Aircrew Insignia is distinct from other Naval Aviation Insignia because it is the sole insignia that can only be earned in a combat environment. It has proved to be a prestigious distinguishing device. The insignia is awarded only to those individuals who have satisfactorily participated in combat during aerial flight."

 

 

“Combat stars represent an engagement of an enemy aircraft, an engagement of an enemy vessel, or participation in offensive or defensive operations against enemy fortified positions. A maximum of three stars may be awarded for display on the Combat Aircrew Insignia."

 

Just because a man has a three star badge doesn't necessarily mean he won several Air Medals or any for that matter.

 

I have a perfectly legitimate USN WW2 medal group with a three star badge. The medals are the man's Good Conduct, ATO, PTO and WW2 Victory plus his ribbons and other insignia but no Air Medal. The point being three stars on the Combat Aircrew Badge and Air Medals awarded don't necessarily correlate.

 

Garth

[Wailuna]

...And by all means use the images as you like!

Thanks, Dutch. Link here to see new post.