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Odd named Air Medal, but got lucky!


decwriter
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I bought this AM thinking it would be a name challenge, considering it was possibly or probably an abbreviation, but I rolled the dice on it anyway and waited. I knew it was official WWII engraving. There wasn’t a whole lot of interest on eBay at the time of the sale due to the “what ifs” regarding the fliers name. I did find one NARA entry, which was identical to his name, and this helped out regarding research. I also located a Selective Service Registration Card from Texas with his unique name and it appears he enlisted two months shy of his eighteenth birthday with his parent’s consent.

 

When the USAAF award cards came online, I was able to locate his AM and DFC General Order award cards. For whatever reason, both the AM and the DFC award card were listed under the same General Order and he only received one decoration without any additional oak leaf clusters.

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He served in a medium bombardment group in the Tenth Air Force, but I do not know which squadron he served in. There are two medium bombardment groups to choose from, the 12th BG and the 341st BG. Both flew B-25s.

His DFC citation was for flying more than 200 hours and the AM citation was for flying more than 100 hours. The citations had to be edited, but are readable.

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Here is his AM with official engraving. If anyone has the DFC, I would like to reunite the pair.

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Wharfmaster

Nice find. Now to locate his Flying Cross.

 

 

I have a Navy GCM in my collection to a "J. J." from Arkansas.

 

 

 

 

W

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Nice find! Concerning officially named medals, when they are engraved initials , then last name, it has always turned out that was their legal name for me when researching.

 

Kurt

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Thanks Kurt! I learn something new every day and appreciate the gouge on engraved initials, then last name regarding research.

 

Randy

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