Yorktown-Enterprise Flight Surgeon Wing

[Killer Kane]

The interesting wing is a slightly bowed AMICO 1/20 10K on sterling. The Flight Surgeon who wore this wing (his initials “A.W.”) apparently served at the beginning of the Pacific War on the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) which was crippled by Japanese dive-bombers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Also, active at the Battle of Midway were her sister carriers USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). As Yorktown was sinking its crew lowered the wounded into life rafts and headed for nearby destroyers and cruisers in the area to be picked up. Later, a crew boarded the crippled Yorktown in an attempt to save her and took her in tow, but a Japanese sub discovered her and fired two torpedoes into her hull causing her to eventually sink. “A.W.” has had engraved at the bottom of his shield “Yorktown” and it has been assumed that he was likely aboard her up until the time she was attacked at Midway. He survived the attack and the chaotic aftermath and was apparently transferred to the USS Enterprise (“The Big “E”) where he served until the end of the war in 1945.

 

Prior to me this wing was in the collection of the late lamented Russell Huff and, as he communicated to me more than once, was one of his sentimental favorites.

[jeff41st]

Very nice wing. Thanks for sharing it.