Question on WWII Navy pilot/navigator?

[doinworkinvans]

So I bought some pieces from a group that was broken up on eBay fromD.S. Price

 

In the group were several leather name tags and wings and bullion wings....however on fold3 I found several war diary reports and he listed as the navigator.

 

Did they wear the same wings as pilots? He was an Ensign so....

 

Would love to hear some info on this as I dont have much dealings with Navy things.

 

Thanks

Daniel

[Owen]

Navy aviator's wing and navigator's wings are definitely different.

Photos of what you have would be helpful.

 

Owen

[pfrost]

It is entirely possible that at some point in his flying career his rating changed from pilot to navigator.

[doinworkinvans]

Here is one of the lots

[doinworkinvans]

Here is one piece I got

[doinworkinvans]

It was a very large and extensive group. He served on into Korea as well

 

 

But there cant be too many Donald S. price that were on a PBM in WWII but he is listed as navigator

[pfrost]

It possible that he was initially trained as a navigator during WWII then went back and was trained as a naval aviator around the KW time period.

[mark leonard]

A photo from his log book shows when he made PP1P and PPC. I think the way this worked was on PBYs and PBMs and others they had 3 pilots, the PPC was patrol plane commander was the pilot,PP1P patrol plane 1st pilot was copilot and the PP2P would have acted as the navigator.

[doinworkinvans]

Interesting. Did you get his log book? I tried but got too pricey

 

So what it seems to me that your saying is that him being listed as Navigator was just a formality

[mark leonard]

I think he was a pilot. I didn't get the logbook, just watching.