KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 29, 2009 I have collected POW groups and US Naval Aviation groups for a long time, but this is the first group I have ever come across where those two interests converged. This group also contains the only officially engraved US Navy Air Medal I have ever seen that was not a posthumous award. Ens. Eyer was serving as a pilot with VB-86 on the USS Wasp when he was shot down and captured March 19, 1945 during an attack on ships at Kure Naval Base, Japan. He was wounded and received an Air Medal and Purple Heart for his service that day. His Radioman-Gunner did not survive the night in the water prior to the Japanese picking Eyer up. For the next 6 months he would be MIA. The Japanese never reported Ens. Eyer as a POW, instead keeping him at one of their infamous " questioning camps" at Ofuna . He was kept there, beaten and questioned until he was liberated by US forces after the end of the war. He stayed in the USN and retired as a Lt Commander in 1958. He passed away at the very young age of 50. This man's service represents a little researched aspect of WWII. The hardships endured by aviators captured by the Japanese was tremendous. Many did not survive captivity. I dedicate this thread to those men. This is a photo taken of Lt(JG) Eyer shortly after he was liberated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted August 29, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted August 29, 2009 His US Navy wrap brooch Air Medal and Type I US Navy Purple Heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted August 29, 2009 The official engraving on the reverse of the Air Medal . It was presented to his family in August 1945. His pinback LGB Naval Aviator wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted August 29, 2009 Leather Flight Jacket nametag and post WWII dogtags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted August 29, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted August 29, 2009 Transmittal Letter for the Air Medal and temporary citation. Permanent citation for the Air Medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted August 29, 2009 Citation for the Purple Heart presented to him in the hospital The welcome home letter sent to LT(JG) Eyer after he made it back alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted August 29, 2009 The way his squadron mates will always remember him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted August 29, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 29, 2009 Kurt, I made a valiant effort to win that one...but am glad you got it! GREAT group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted August 29, 2009 Kurt, I made a valiant effort to win that one...but am glad you got it! GREAT group Thanks Andy! I was very happy with the price I paid. I got this entire group for less that what the the last 2 single KIA USN AM's on Ebay went for. The fact a photo of the engraving wasnt posted probably helped. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadet Posted August 29, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 29, 2009 I agree...I thought it would go a lot higher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted August 29, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 29, 2009 Great group! :w00t: Di you have a NICE and BIG collection, Kurt!!! :thumbsup: Best regards, Ricardo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted August 29, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 29, 2009 Another great WWII Naval Aviation grouping! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted August 29, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 29, 2009 You done it again, Kurt! Great story here. A very rare grouping! Congrats......Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted August 30, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted August 30, 2009 Thanks Guys :thumbsup: I do feel fortunate to be the caretaker of this group. I just found this pic online. The caption on the photo tells the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdk Posted August 30, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 30, 2009 AWESOME group Kurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1944 Posted August 30, 2009 Share #18 Posted August 30, 2009 Amazing medal group Kurt! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just-a-good-ole-boy Posted August 31, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 31, 2009 Amazing find!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted September 3, 2009 Share #20 Posted September 3, 2009 You have always the best US Navy aviation grouping!!!! Cheers, JK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Dan Posted September 4, 2009 Share #21 Posted September 4, 2009 Transmittal Letter for the Air Medal and temporary citation. Permanent citation for the Air Medal. Amazing grouping Just a side note this certificate is signed by Di Gates pilot number 65 one of the original First Yale Unit pilots from WW I. Regards Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby R. Posted September 5, 2009 Share #22 Posted September 5, 2009 Nice group Kurt. You stole it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbirming Posted September 11, 2009 Share #23 Posted September 11, 2009 AWESOME!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share #24 Posted September 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted September 25, 2011 Share #25 Posted September 25, 2011 :thumbsup: Wonderful grouping and testomony to those brave pilots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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