Extremely rare large grouping from the estate of Col. Everything from photos, medals, pins, tons of documents, etc. He was a Army air Corp pilot during ww2, part of the 323rd bomb group. He flew 67 bombing missions based from the United kingdom. His career continued long after ww2, and by the time of his retirement he was the commanding officer of Westover AF base. Included in the lot are multiple sterling silver pins, including his sterling silver pilot wings, sterling oak leaf pins, and U. Lapel pins, all shown on his uniform in the 8×10 portrait photo. Also included are his ww2 issued ID dated 1942, name tag, even his personal record with his retirement documents, medical documents, probably an additional 20-30 documents on top of everything shown in photos. Great lot from a true American hero. Please message us with any questions!
A rare WW2 Airforce Medal and incredible archive of ephemera relating S/Sgt Hursle Howard Welsh (Hursh), 717th Bomber Squadron AAF. The medal was awarded for 50 operations over occupied Europe during 1944 two of which received a Presidential Unit Citation. The archive with the medal is truly outstanding from school records, references for the USAF, medical records, flying records covering both training and operations, recommendation for pilot training letter, letters awarding the Airforce Medal with an additional 3 bronze Oak Leaf clusters (these not with the medal), European -African-Middle Eastern theatre medal (ribbon only included) and Good conduct medal (Sadly the whereabouts of the last two medals is unknown), Marksman badge, original Beeman’s gum, dog tags, ribbon bars, Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, side cap, Aircrew Badge, 15th Airforce patch, small original photo of damaged aircraft, address book (Enid Army Airfield on cover), Liquor permit, with fellow crew members details, two Pilot and crew member physical record cards, Military Courtesy card for Enid Army Airfield, etc. Hursle Howard Welsh, known as’Hursh’, was born in 1922 in Tulsa and lived for over 60 years in Modesto, California. He enlisted on the 19th of March 1943 in Sacramento, California and qualified as an Armourer Gunner. Hursle headed to the 717th Bombardment Sqn (H)AAF in 1944 which was based in Grottaglie Airfield near Taranto in Italy. The squadron operated Consolidated B-24 Liberators as part of the 449th Bombardment Group flying strategic bombing operations over Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Albania and Greece. 39412808 S/Sgt Hursle Welsh was assigned to Joseph E Zink’s crew as a nose gunner flying 50 operational sorties from April 1944 to August 1944. His missions included flights to Germany and Austria (8), France (4), Yugoslavia (3)Italy (14)Albania (1), Romania (11). An Airforce address book is included with his crew’s names and addresses at the time. He took part in the 4th of April 1944 raid on the marshalling yards at Bucharest where the 449th were credited with destroying the marshalling yard and shooting down 40 enemy fighters. It was to be the 449th most costly combat mission as seven B-24s and 71 men were lost. (The 717th lost 12 KIA and 8 POW). A presidential Unit Citation was awarded to the 449th and Hursle’s citation ribbon bar is included. A second raid in which he participated on the 9th of July 1944 gained a second Presidential Citation. This was an attack on the Concorda Vega oil refinery at Ploesti which was defended by an effective smoke screen, fighters, and one of the heaviest concentrations of flak encountered by the 449th. PFF ground attack radar had to be used due to the target being totally obscured by smoke. Ploesti was a key target protected by 200 anti-aircraft guns and formations of up to 100 fighters and required an 8 hour mission. Despite the defences the raid was a success and a second Presidential Citation was awarded. Hursle completed his 50 combat missions with a total of 269 combat hours returning to the US in August 1944. He was obviously exhausted and suffering from battle fatigue from his experiences and was recommended to be an Armourer Gunner Instructor back home in the US. (Documentation covering this is included). He was awarded the Airforce Medal in may 1944 followed by three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. Hursle was also awarded the European -African-Middle Eastern theatre medal (ribbon included) and Good conduct medal. In September 1944 he was recommended for Aviation Cadet Training with the recommendation by the Colonel that’while under my command he has shown the ability to learn and think quickly under extremely difficult circumstances and it is my belief that if given the opportunity to take Aviation Cadet Training it would be in the best interests of the Untied States’. It is unclear trained to become a pilot. He married Marion in October 1945 and had three children, Grand children and Great Grand children and passed away in 2006. Hursle’Hursh’ Welsh is remembered in Lake wood Memorial Park, Hughson, Stanislaus County, California. This is an exceptional archive to one of the many brave bomber aircrew of WW2 and worthy of much more research! I can post to the US if required.
USAF Officers Navigator Wings & Medals. It measures 11.5 inches wide by 14.5 inches long in the frame, has 7 medals, Navigator wings and LT Colonel rank pins. This came from the estate of LT Colonel John Horkulic who was a bombardier with the 8th Air Force 423rd Bombardment Squadron and flew missions over France and Germany. I will be listing several other items from this estate.
GENUINE VINTAGE USAF Air Medal. Full size with Ribbon Bar & Pin in WWII Case. The Air Medal was established on 11th may 1942 by order of President Roosevelt. The medal is awarded to anyone who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. During WWII It could also be awarded upon meeting the criteria listed below. Per each naval vessel or three enemy aircraft in flight confirmed destroyed. Per twenty-five (25) operational flights during which exposure to enemy fire is probable and expected. Per one-hundred (100) operational flights during which exposure to enemy fire is not expected. This fantastic vintage example is complete with its ribbon bar and enamel lapel pin. The entire set is contained in an early WWII style coffin presentation case. The early cases continue to be used until 1960s until supplies ran out, so it is entirely possible that this set may date from this period (please note 1960s style clutch fittings on reverse of enamel pin). A fantastic opportunity to obtain a COMPLETE & GENUINE cased Air Medal set. All our United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps military medals, decorations and awards are genuine full size American manufactured issue pieces. Please read the following important information about us and our merchandise as it forms part of the description. We specialise in fine quality modern made and vintage reproductions of World military medals, badges and insignia from WW1 to the present day. We also carry some original items and these are clearly marked GENUINE in the header. This is particularly pertinent to GERMAN items – which have been extensively copied for at least 75 years. WE WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY WITH YOUR ORDER. You are our number one priority. We pride ourselves on honesty, accurate descriptions and professional customer service. On the rare occasions that we may fall short of our own high standards we will be determined to put matters right. You can add items to your shopping cart and request an Invoice. We understand that with on line shopping it is sometimes necessary to return items. We treat ALL return requests very sympathetically. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War II (1939-1945)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “theregaliashop” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.
Fantastic grouping of various medals / badges & pictures telling the story of a young man from his Boy Scout days through his US Army Air Force tours of duty in World War II & the Korean War. Some of the medals are vintage and original to the era, others are circa late 1990′s / early 2000′s. All have been professionally arranged and framed with a few pictures included. Framer secured all items in place and none move when frame is moved around so I’m assuming some sort of adhesive was used to hold things tight. The framed portrait of him in uniform at 18 years of age is also part of this lot. Please view all pictures. Questions encouraged and welcome. Row 1: (All Old) Air Crew Wings – Dog Tags – Aerial Gunner Wings Row 2: Staff Sergeant Patch – 13th USAAF Patch – (Old) Carbine, Submachine Gun & Rifle Badges Army Air Force Patch – Tech Sergeant Patch Row 3: (Old) Good Conduct Medal – (Old) Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars (Old) American Campaign Medal – (Old) World War II Victory Medal Old? Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star Row 4: (New) Commemorative Pacific Victory VJ Day 1941 – 1945 (New)US Army Service Commemorative Medal (New) World War II Commemorating Victory Medal – (New) Korean Service Medal (New) 50th Anniversary Korean Defense Commemorative Medal – US Air Force Commemorative Medal (Old) 1940′s Robbins 3 EAGLE Scout Badge with Palm – (Old) 1940′s Silver Beaver Award. Condition: Very Good; Professionally framed, vintage medals show some expected wear, newer medals very minor wear. Size: Frame Outer Dimensions: 18 1/2″ x 24 1/2″. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “WW II Korean War USAF Army Air Force Medal Group Named withPics Eagle Scout BSA” is in sale since Tuesday, September 5, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Medals & Ribbons”. The seller is “knoxantiques” and is located in Friendsville, Tennessee. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.
Fantastic grouping of various medals / badges & pictures telling the story of a young man from his Boy Scout days through his US Army Air Force tours of duty in World War II & the Korean War. Some of the medals are vintage and original to the era, others are circa late 1990′s / early 2000′s. All have been professionally arranged and framed with a few pictures included. Framer secured all items in place and none move when frame is moved around so I’m assuming some sort of adhesive was used to hold things tight. The framed portrait of him in uniform at 18 years of age is also part of this lot. A few more pics at bottom of listing. Please view all pictures. Questions encouraged and welcome. Row 1: (All Old) Air Crew Wings – Dog Tags – Aerial Gunner Wings Row 2: Staff Sergeant Patch – 13th USAAF Patch – (Old) Carbine, Submachine Gun & Rifle Badges Army Air Force Patch – Tech Sergeant Patch Row 3: (Old) Good Conduct Medal – (Old) Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars (Old) American Campaign Medal – (Old) World War II Victory Medal Old? Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star Row 4: (New) Commemorative Pacific Victory VJ Day 1941 – 1945 (New)US Army Service Commemorative Medal (New) World War II Commemorating Victory Medal – (New) Korean Service Medal (New) 50th Anniversary Korean Defense Commemorative Medal – US Air Force Commemorative Medal (Old) 1940′s Robbins 3 EAGLE Scout Badge with Palm – (Old) 1940′s Silver Beaver Award. Condition: Very Good; Professionally framed, vintage medals show some expected wear, newer medals very minor wear. Size: Frame Outer Dimensions: 18 1/2″ x 24 1/2″. Get Images that Make Supersized Seem Small. Attention Sellers – Get Templates Image Hosting, Scheduling at Auctiva. The item “WW II & Korean War USAF Army Air Force Medal Group -Named withPics Eagle Scout BSA” is in sale since Saturday, April 01, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Medals & Ribbons”. The seller is “knoxantiques” and is located in Friendsville, Tennessee. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.
