Craigslist Score / P-4A Flight Helmet

[Wayward Son]

Found this beauty on Craigslist in a neighboring city. The seller had it for many years displayed in his fishing cabin. He could not remember where he obtained it. I gladly parted with a hundred dollar bill and brought it home. Everything is there just as if it had been placed atop a locker after a mission, which is fairly rare for these. The last name of "DuRette" is handwritten in grease pencil on the visor frame. I am very happy to have this in my collection!

 

 

[aznation]

Nice score!  

 

I wonder if it belonged to this guy?

 

Publication:  Daily Press

Location:  Newport News, Virginia

Issue Date:  Sunday, August 1, 1999

Page:  Page 22

 

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John C. DuRette, 69, died in his sleep at home on July 26, 1999, after an illness of many months. He was born July 21, 1930, in Salem, Ore., to Nellie Narthaler and Cecil A. DuRette, who were of two pioneer-homesteading families. As a newly married lieutenant, he took residence in Hampton in 1958. He attended Oregon State College, the University of Oregon, and served with the U.S. Forestry Service. He entered the Air Force as Airman Basic and was selected for Aviation Cadets. He later earned a B.A. in military science (the University of Omaha), a B.A. in business (Golden Gate University) and an A.D. (Thomas Nelsen College). It. Col. DuRette retired from the Air Force Jan. 1 , 1982, after over 30 years of service; and as a master navigator with over 6,000 hours of flying, and over 700 in combat; and a veteran of Korea and Vietnam, with awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Nine Oakleaf Clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal. Lt. Col. DuRette was a member of Grace Episcopal Church for 30 years, where he served as usher and on the vestry; a lifetime member of the Retired Officer Association; and was a member of the Air Commando Association, Air Force Navigator Observers Association, and the Virginia Retired Officer Association. His volunteer service includes the Langley Air Force Base Family Support Center (since 1989), Retired Activities Office (since 1 989), and the Riverside Rehabilitation Center in Newport News (1992). In addition to his busy schedule, his avocation was hands-on remodeling and renovation. Lt. Col. DuRette is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dr. B. Underwood DuRette; and three sons, John S.E. DuRette, and his wife, Robin, of Hampton, Hugh D.M. (Mitch) DuRette of Hollywood, Calif., and Jamieson G. DuRette of Baltimore, Md.; one brother, Hugh R. DuRette of Otis, Oregon; two granddaughters, Kristin and Rebecca DuRette of Hampton; a sister-in-law, Anne B. Womack of Hampton; a nephew, John Christian Womack; and nieces,' Dr. Maria Womack, Noal Womack Toothaker of Tallahassee, Fla., and Cindy DuRette Cheseboro of Mount Helens, Ore. A memorial service will be held at Langley Air Force Base Chapel on Thursday, Aug. 5, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials should take the form of contributions to your church or to the National ALS Foundation.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112619394/john-c-durette

[aznation]

Maybe this one?

 

 

[hink441]

Great looking helmet. I would bet the Navigator from Newport News was the original owner of this helmet. 

[Wayward Son]

Thanks for the research, Gents. I have looked inside and out for a first initial or SSN to help narrow it down, but nothing further has been found.

[72psb]

That is a beautiful helmet! Great score at a C-note.

[Colt Tanker]

Really nice find at a great price.

[268th C.A.]

no doubt, not far from Langley...