You dont get more personalized that this.  Excellent.

Welcome to the forum! Is there a certain type of WWII AAF items you collect?

UFH 1942-1943...Judging by the fuller, no. of letters and a WAG.   hyrax222

Full Color U.S. Army Japan, box dated August 1973. Post #191 for a 1973 box of the subdued version.    

This person was a Cryptologic Technician (Collection) CTRC rate in the US Navy in Vietnam.  Here's some information on him.                 NARA Info - James H Crouse Jr.pdf

If the one shown in the first picture is genuine, it's probably a cut down M1905 bayonet. The markings appear to be what is found on them as is the blued (?) portion.

The US Army Air Force was formed 20 June 1941, so if each boot contained an "'ARMY AIR FORCES' winged star decal" then they would be from 1941 or later. The OP mentioned they might be "early WWII" and that lines up.   The US Army Air Corp was formed 2 July 1926 and many of the items used during WWI were commercial products. Making an historically accurate WWI-period balloon flyer mannequin would be tough, as exact dating may be difficult. Great project!

Does anyone have a picture of the original box that this award comes in?   this is what I could find.    another variation, I guess   I also saw many yellow, green, or blue non descript boxes.     

I liked to watch that show when I was a kid.  This M1 may be real...there were a lot around at that time.  The two tone ricasso area is not what you would normally see on on M1, however it may have worn that way.  I have a battle worn prop M1 that looks pretty cool, it is obvious up close. It is cast aluminum.  I have had guys try to remove it from the scabbard, not realizing it's a one piece casting.  They keep pushing down hard on the release lever. Thanks for the memories. Marv