After establishing a fearsome reputation operating from land bases with US Marine Corps pilots in the South Pacific, a new landing approach and special training finally allowed the high performance Chance Vought F4U Corsair to be deployed from Navy carriers. The Corsair soon replaced dive bombers, torpedo planes, and Hellcats, as it could accurately deliver the same load as a dive bomber while retaining its deadly air to air capabilities. In January 1945, the Navy began establishing fighter bomber (VBF) squadrons flying the Corsair off fleet carriers. VBF-1, nicknamed the “Royal Flushers”, was assigned to USS Bennington (CV-20) after she completed repairs in the Pacific in mid-June 1945. Bennington could then better protect herself and the fleet with the air wing while wielding a powerful offensive strike package. VBF-1 flew strikes against Japanese warships and installations on the home islands until the surrender was signed in August 1945. This US Navy WW2 VBF-1 “ROYAL FLUSHERS” F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID’D AIR MEDAL RACK is in very good condition, with a small loose stitch on the front American Campaign drape, some fading to each front drape, mismatched clutches, and with some light overall spot patina and age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the rack is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it consists of the Air Medal with the original “gold star” to denote a second award, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, WW2 Victory, and Navy Occupation Service with “ASIA” clasp, sports elegant stitching and fully intact pin posts at the upper back, and is attributed to Ens. Ensign (later Commander) Harold O. “Bo” Bosacki served as an F4U Corsair fighter pilot with VBF-1 during the squadron’s entire deployment aboard the Bennington from June to August 1945, twice earning the Air Medal for number of combat missions flown. On August 13th, 1945 Ensign Bosacki’s aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a strike on Central Honshu, but his rugged bird brought him home safely. A fine example of a very rare, original US Navy WW2 VBF-1 “ROYAL FLUSHERS” F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID’D AIR MEDAL RACK. The item “US Navy WW2 VBF-1 ROYAL FLUSHERS F4U CORSAIR FIGHTER PILOT ID’D AIR MEDAL RACK” is in sale since Monday, March 18, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Medals & Ribbons”. The seller is “abramsantiques” and is located in Claremont, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.