Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 229:
Description
13th Air Force / FEAF Scrap Book, Pacific Barong-Style Knife & Insignia Carved Plaque. Exceptional and highly personal World War II U.S. Army Air Forces Pacific Theater grouping attributed to Michael Androsko, who served with the 13th Air Force, 5th Bombardment Group, 23rd Bomb Squadron during the closing campaigns of the war in the Pacific. At the heart of the grouping is Androsko’s substantial wartime scrapbook, its cover mounted with original-style USAAF aviation insignia and a 13th Air Force patch, preserving an extraordinary assortment of original photographs, documents, captured material, and wartime ephemera accumulated during his overseas service. Of particular historical importance are the Japanese-language propaganda and psychological-warfare leaflets preserved within the album, including vividly printed material employing dramatic rising-sun imagery, a radio microphone, bold Japanese text, and wartime messaging. Such leaflets and printed pieces were an important component of the information war fought throughout the Pacific, where both Japanese and Allied forces used printed propaganda, radio appeals, surrender messages, and other psychological-warfare material in attempts to influence troops and civilian populations. Surviving examples with direct veteran provenance are especially desirable, and their presence within Androsko’s untouched wartime scrapbook provides valuable context establishing them as souvenirs actually collected in the Pacific Theater rather than later additions. The album contains numerous compelling original photographs of B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, including aircraft displaying distinctive wartime nose art and names such as "Snow Job II, " "Iron Bird, " and "Lady Luck, " together with photographs of damaged and serviced aircraft, flight-line activity, aircrews, ground personnel, Pacific airfields, religious services, local scenes, and an impressive large-format photograph showing hundreds of servicemen posed around and atop a B-24 in a tropical setting. The 5th Bomb Group, one of the oldest bombardment organizations in the U.S. military, operated with the 13th Air Force across the Southwest and Central Pacific and employed the B-24 Liberator on long-range missions against Japanese airfields, shipping, installations, and oil facilities. The grouping is further enhanced by a remarkable hand-carved wooden 23rd Bomb Squadron plaque made by Androsko in the Pacific in 1945, depicting the distinctive squadron figure used on B-24 tail markings. The handwritten inscription on the reverse states: "This was carved by Michael Androsko in Pacific Area during W.W.II, 1945, while flying with 13th Army Air Force, 5th Bomb Group, 23rd Bomb Squadron. This is copy of squadron symbol painted on tails of B-24 bombers. Wood is mahogany, " followed by the poignant instruction "KEEP IN FAMILY." Also included is a large Pacific Theater-made knife with carved wooden handle and fitted wooden sheath, apparently retained by Androsko as a wartime souvenir. Taken together, the original aviation photography, identifiable B-24 nose art, Japanese propaganda and psychological-warfare material, theater-made artifacts, and directly attributed carved squadron plaque create an unusually rich visual record of an American airman’s service in the Pacific. The scrapbook exhibits substantial period wear including edge losses, toning, staining, brittle paper and looseness consistent with an extensively handled wartime album; these characteristics contribute to its authentic, untouched character. Please review all photographs carefully for the extensive contents and condition of this historically significant 13th Air Force archive.
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