WW2 Letters Press Rls Shot Down P-47 Pilot Purple Heart Lot & Looking Back Book

Description: Looking Back… 1941-1991: 50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Thunderbolt P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association This 112-page soft cover book celebrates the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and the pilots that flew her. A chronicle of the fraternal association of “Jug” pilots, this book is peppered with rare illustrations and black and white photographs that include a 9th Air Force P-47 flying in front of the titanic explosion of a Nazi ammunition truck that it had just destroyed a split-second before, a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter flying in close formation with a P-47D, a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt on the tarmac near a Republic F-105 Thunderchief. The book’s articles include “A Pilot’s Prayer,” “A Gathering of Eagles: Jug pilots reminisce about a grand lady – the Thunderbolt,”“…to a thunderbolt romance: A Fairy Tale,” “After 32 Years, Henry Lederer Is Still a P-47 Pilot,” “French Fighter Squadrons Flying Thunderbolts, WW II,” “Flights of Memory in the Jug,” a 1965 toast to the membership, “Reflections and Confessions of a P-47 Crew Chief,” “The P-47” by General Mark E. Bradley, “First Flight (of the P-47),” and “Thunderbolt Caper.” Also included are originals and copies of typewritten letters from France in 1944 from then-First Lieutenant Joesph A. Kelley, Jr.,to his father and mother back home. A letter from 1945 describes how Lieut.Kelley was shot down over Germany and the injuries he received. There is also a collection of news releases from the 9thAir Force Public Relations Office describing Lieut. Joseph’s describing his exploits aloft in battle against the Luftwaffe. A biography describes how Captain Kelly was shot down over Germany on his 99th mission and how his awards include the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 18 Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Presidential Citation. Capt. Kelly’s Silver Star describes how he attacked and destroyed a Luftwaffe ME-109 and then went after and dispersed additional three planes before driving off a fourth enemy aircraft pursuing a fellow pilot. Also included two news clippings about fighter pilots, “The Prayer,” and a copy of Lieut. Kelly’s orders. Book is in very good condition. The papers are old and some are very thin. Expect some darkening, small tears, folds and paper clips. There are multiple copies of some of the items. Some are original and some are stamped "copy."

Price: 199.99 USD

Location: Huntington Beach, California

End Time: 2025-01-14T18:53:25.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.38 USD