US Navy EKA-3B Navigator's group

[mvmhm]

We were contacted by the estate of U.S. Navy Lieutenant James A. Palcich, who recently passed away with no living relative except for a brother on the west coast who didn't want his brothers possessions. I went to Kettering this morning to pick up a box of materials that had been saved when his apartment was cleaned out. In addition to his Navy records and post-service civil service records, we received his medals, hats and several other items. James had one living sister, but sadly she died just two days before his funeral.

 

Mark sends

[mvmhm]

Lt. Palcich flew the Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior. The Douglas A3D Skywarrior was the Navy's first twinjet nuclear bomber. Douglas built 282 Skywarriors, the largest and heaviest aircraft ever to operate from an aircraft carrier, earning it the unofficial nickname "The Whale". The Skywarrior evolved from the bomber mission to air refueling tanker, electronic countermeasures, photographic reconnaissance, crew trainer and as a VIP transport. EKA-3B: 34 KA-3B tankers refitted for dual ECM/tanker role, with electronic warfare equipment and tail fairing in place of rear turret. Most were converted back to KA-3B configuration (with no ECM gear) after 1975. It is one of the longest serving carrier aircraft in history, serving from the mid-1950s until 1991.

 

Note that the morale patch eludes to the plane's nickname.

[mvmhm]

Note that this is a Jewel box, not a jewelry box....his extra Vietnam Service Medal is also rim marked.....

[mvmhm]

..and his hats...I was thrilled to find TWO squadron hats as well. His initials are on the back of those.

[mvmhm]

Some misc. pieces...the one set of wings are gorgeous - they're 1/10th 10K gold, and the center emblem is separately attached - my picture doesn't do them justice...

[mvmhm]

His log book...there's a red metal tab that marks the page where he lists his last flights in Vietnam....

[mvmhm]

There's two sets of files..one for his military career and one for his civil service career, so I won't need to do any more research.  I found the paperwork where he was also awarded the South Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross - the equivalent of our Air Medal, although I doubt he ever received the actual medal. All his other awards are well documented too. I've decided to leave his last will and testament sealed.

[mvmhm]

I thought I took photos of all his Air Medal certificates, but I guess not. There's one more like this, and one that says Strike/Flight with numeral 3.

 

While I was taking pictures, a gent stopped by to say his father fought with the 6th Marine Division followed by 22 years in the Air Force..he's brining the Marine uniform Thursday morning so I'm looking forward to seeing what all he has. He said his father took a ton of pictures...and that he (the son) had cut them all out of their photo albums so he could scan them. Dang it.

 

Mark sends

[mvmhm]

Oops, I forgot to add these...there's two of these Japanese-made name tags....

 

 

Mark sends

[diriklolkus]

Boy, letting those chickens loose…what a heinous criminal act!

[CinamonToastCrunch]

Really nice group

[manayunkman]

Congrats on this cool group 

[jerry_k]

Nice grouping!

[hink441]

Very nice!! Love anything related to the A-3s. 
 

Chris

[River Patrol]

Love the U.S.N. heavy bombers!!

[MWalsh]

That WHALERON 132 patch is a hoot!