"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Yes Sir.
Here is an example of the Bomber Crew from the 384th BG B-17 "Dueces Wild" taken stateside prior to deploying to England.
Note they all are wearing the Aircrew wings.
Now like I mentioned I'm not an expert on these. I just collected several sets of wings to honor my Uncle's and a long with a Pilot from the 384thBG for their service. But I believe they would put the Gunner wings on once flying in a combat theater of operations. That is my understanding. I'll do some more digging when I get home to my reference books(Silver Wings,Pinks and Greens) to see if anything is written down that I can quote
Here is another interesting shot of wings worn on the garraison cap. Bottom row far right.
Semper Fi
Phil
Well that one didn't say much.
Pg. 97
"The Aerial Gunner Wing Badge To qualify as an aerial gunner, the airman had to graduate from a six week course in flexible gunnery. Navigator and bombardier cadets had to take this course also. The badge, which features a bullet with wings, was established 29 April 1943 and discontinued 26 July 1949."
Semper Fi
Phil
Last edited by AZPhil; 04-22-2020 at 09:49 PM. Reason: corrected spacing.
OK I had to ask to get this answer because I didn't want to give bum scoop.
This came from a Vet's son.
His father first went to technical school(Radio's) , He was then sent to Gunnery school were he was promoted to Corporal and given his Gunner wings upon graduation and they were worn in the US. Then everyone was then sent to attend advanced crew training for specific bombers. This Vet was sent to B-17's. This Vet attended Gunnery school in October/November of 1944
When he arrived in England he was authorized to wear either Air Crew wings or Gunner wings and most EM chose to wear the Gunner wings.
The date of authorization for the Gunner wings was April 29th 1943.
Gunner Badge - Wikipedia
So the pictures I have found and the one I posted are possibly before the Gunner wings were authorized, Prior to that they wore the Aircrew wings.
I love learning stuff like this!!!
Semper Fi
Phil
Ok here is another from the 384thBG 546th BS.. The Dietel Crew
This one is while in England.
Note that some are wearing the 8th Air Force patch and they have the combat blue patch behind there Air Crew wings.(Bottom row,1st and 3rd from the left)
This is dated between June and July of 1943. They were shot down and all KIA except Radio operator(Evaded) and the engineer(POW) on 28 July 1943.
So Air crew wings being worn during that time.
This has defiantly turned into a learning experience
Semper Fi
Phil
You got that right
A simple question that I nearly didn't ask because I sort of felt that a collector of as many years as me (albeit I don't specialise in this area) really ought to have known (it has bugged me for quite a while) turned into the kind of exchange that makes this forum just the best!
The forum format (the most user friendly) provides the skeleton but it is the membership that puts the great, juicy meat on those bones
Thanks guys.
Regards
Mark
PS. I am aware of that book Phil but never got round to adding it to my bookshelf because of cost versus neccesity for my collecting habits though I think I should reconsider. It is expensive in UK and 2nd hand copies from the US are made equally so by prohibitive postal costs!
I'll keep looking!
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
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