US 12th Air Corp

**SteveR** · 02-05-2010, 09:44 PM

Here is a uniform from an old friend ( deceased now ) Nathan Cole who flew 54 missions in B25's and B26's from North Africa to Italy. Stayed drunk for 2 years after WWII then went to college on the GI bill and became a university art and art history instructor. He witnessed the Mount Vesuvius eruption and was evacuated from the airfield where his squadron was stationed. He said they left everything including the aircraft when evacuated by plane it was all covered with volcanic ash. He also said his squadron was part of the group that bombed Casino.
Included in the photo's are close up of his 4 pocket class A dress jacket, a photo of Nat and his fellow crewmen with info on the back ( Nat is lower left, front row.), some propaganda leaflets, some invasion money from North Africa ( something you rarely come across in the USA ) and a piece of flak that hit his aircraft.
During his time in the Army Airforce he flew as an gunner and radioman. I liked him a lot we were the only veterans in the Art department. We tended to be an island of conservatisim in an ocean of liberals.
Sorry about the sideways picture.
Steve

**RH1941** · 02-05-2010, 10:19 PM

Steve what a great grouping. What makes it even better is that this man was a friend of yours ,and to know some of his history very nice. Gary

**SteveR** · 02-06-2010, 03:19 AM

Thanks
Nat was a neat guy. We always huddled up at the local artists shows snak and cheap wine table. We were way past the "What does the artist mean with this work?" Looking at the good looking gals was much more fun.