Post-WWII 1950's & 1960's US Air Force uniform photos

[ItemCo16527]

Definitely an odd one, patches. Maybe Army in WWII and then the Marines in Korea? I can just make out the ribbons for the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Navy Presidential Unit Citation with star. Would love to know his name so I could try to research him.

[easterneagle87]

Current jacket on eBay, 

[patches]

12 hours ago, ItemCo16527 said:

Definitely an odd one, patches. Maybe Army in WWII and then the Marines in Korea? I can just make out the ribbons for the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Navy Presidential Unit Citation with star. Would love to know his name so I could try to research him.

Yes the view of the rack would determine if he has both the Army and the Marine Good Conduct medals.

 

[seanmc1114]

On 5/12/2021 at 11:39 PM, patches said:

Here's a just now find, a 1st Marine Division Veteran early 50s now in the Aar Force, but look, he's also wearing a CIB, Hmm wonder why, too bad we can't see his fruit salad.

 

On 5/15/2021 at 11:41 AM, ItemCo16527 said:

Definitely an odd one, patches. Maybe Army in WWII and then the Marines in Korea? I can just make out the ribbons for the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Navy Presidential Unit Citation with star. Would love to know his name so I could try to research him.

He he could have had former combat service in both the Army and Marine Corps, but my guess would be a former member of the 164th or 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division. The 164th was sent to Guadalcanal in October 1942 to reinforce the 1st Marine Division and the 182nd arrived in November. You can make out the ribbon for the Navy Presidential Unit Citation on his ribbon rack. Both the 164th and 182nd received that unit award.  I also see a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, but can't make out the rest.

 

 

[patches]

13 hours ago, seanmc1114 said:

 

He he could have had former combat service in both the Army and Marine Corps, but my guess would be a former member of the 164th or 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division. The 164th was sent to Guadalcanal in October 1942 to reinforce the 1st Marine Division and the 182nd arrived in November. You can make out the ribbon for the Navy Presidential Unit Citation on his ribbon rack. Both the 164th and 182nd received that unit award.  I also see a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, but can't make out the rest.

 

 

Thanks for the good enlargement Sean, now that we can see a close up,do we see both the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal???

 

The Army one encircled in Green and the Marine one encircled in Red.

[seanmc1114]

16 hours ago, patches said:

Thanks for the good enlargement Sean, now that we can see a close up,do we see both the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal???

 

The Army one encircled in Green and the Marine one encircled in Red.

Possibly but possibly not. Regardless, his ribbons are all out of order. 

 

 

[seanmc1114]

Lt. Gen. Elwood Quesada wearing khaki shorts on Kwajalein during Operation Greenhouse in 1951.

[patches]

On 5/18/2021 at 10:52 AM, seanmc1114 said:

Possibly but possibly not. Regardless, his ribbons are all out of order. 

 

 

Man I wish we had more views of this guy right

[seanmc1114]

These photos show several indicators of airmen during the period when the Air Force was fully transitioning away from its prior inclusion in the Army. This particular NCO is wearing the Army Combat Medical Badge, probably from World War II. He is also wearing the ribbons of the Distinguished Unit Citation and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation over his right breast pocket, Army style. Finally, he is being awarded the Army Commendation Medal which was awarded to members of the Air Force until the Air Force began issuing its own version in 1958.

 

The source of the photos show they were taken at Van Nuys Air National GUard Base, but don't give a date.   

[seanmc1114]

BUsh jacket worn at Van Nuys Air National Air National Guard Base sometime in the 50's.  

[seanmc1114]

I like the insignia on the AIr Policemen's helmet liners. No idea what unit they indicate, but they were also taken at Van Nuys Air National Air National Guard Base sometime in the 50's.  

[seanmc1114]

[otter42]

Looks like Skunkworks insignia on his helmet in post 1017, very cool.

[seanmc1114]

Carl Dobbins USAF 1948-1953. Still wearing Army rank insignia.

[seanmc1114]

Airman 3rd Class, Joseph G. Kocherhans, USAF 1948-1952. 

[seanmc1114]

Airman wearing an Alaska Air Command patch with an unknown tab. Based on his ribbons - National Defense Service Medal, AIr Force Longevity Service Award, and Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon - this would be sometime after 1963.

[seanmc1114]

Basic training photo from January 1949 showing airmen wearing both Army and the new Air Force chevrons.

[easterneagle87]

3 hours ago, seanmc1114 said:

Airman wearing an Alaska Air Command patch with an unknown tab. Based on his ribbons - National Defense Service Medal, AIr Force Longevity Service Award, and Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon - this would be sometime after 1963.

Could be an “Alaska” tab

[seanmc1114]

[seanmc1114]

Bob Hope is shown here with S/Sgt Harold Davis of the Michigan Air National Guard in 1949. 

[seanmc1114]

Col. C.E. Henry, vice commander of the 10th Air Force, Selfridge Air Base, Mich. and Col. Ben Lichty, Wing commander of the 131st Fighter Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, inspecting elements of the 131st Fighter Wing when it entered active duty with the Air Force at Lambert Field, March 1, 1951.

[seanmc1114]

The Master Sergeant shown here is wearing post-1948 rank insignia along with World War II collar insignia.

[seanmc1114]

Female airmen of the North Dakota Air National Guard most likely in the 50's.

[seanmc1114]

Staff sergeant of the California Air National Guard with stencilled rank insignia on his fatigues.

[seanmc1114]

Several NCO's wearing dress uniforms with bow ties along with one wearing an evening dress uniform which is of a consdirably darker shade than the others. Was it black? The photo caption says "1968 CMSAF Paul Airey visits his first Air Guard unit, the 167th TAG, WV ANG."