Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 66:
Description
This grouping consists of personal effects and documentation belonging to Corporal Willard L. Gleeson (ASN 39041586), an Airplane Armorer Gunner who served in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater during World War II. Primary documentation includes a Separation Qualification Record (Form WD AGO 100) dated March 11, 1946, which records Gleeson’s service from 1943 to 1946 at Camp Beale, California, and his duties with the 90th Airdrome Squadron and 317th Troop Carrier in China and India. The record specifies his proficiency in operating all turrets on a B-24-J aircraft. Also included is a partial Individual Clothing and Equipment Record dated September 19, 1944, listing the issue of a Type B-3 jacket, Type B-6 helmet, and Type A-3 trousers.Personal identification includes a pair of notched stainless steel dog tags stamped GLEESON, WILLARD L. 39041586 T43-43 B. The photographic record contains a large black and white studio portrait of Gleeson in flight gear, an action photograph of Gleeson operating a waist-mounted .50 caliber machine gun, a technical interior view of an aircraft turret stenciled DANGER TURRET NOT STOWED, and a post-war color photograph.Insignia and badges include silver-colored metal aircrew wings with a central shield, a wing and propeller badge, and two enameled Distinctive Unit Insignia for the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command featuring the motto SUSTINEO ALAS. The grouping also contains two silver-colored metal specialty bars for RADIO OPERATOR and AP ARMORER, a blue wool triangular technician patch with an orange embroidered bomb, a brown leather strip embossed 1st GUNNER, and a small swatch of olive drab knitted wool.
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