Wings of Heroes

This section is dedicated to displaying photos of veterans and their wings. There's very few chances in our hobby to actually know who earned the wings we collect. This is my attempt to tie back the things we collect to the people who treasured them as much as we do. Veterans are encouraged to send in photos of their wings and themselves for inclusion on this page. Please email me at bschwartz@ww2wings.com if you're interested in contributing photos. All wings shown here are the veteran's actual wings.
Please click on the veteran's name for more photos and information


Photos courtesy of Russell J. Huff
Commander David McCampbell
AG-15

F6F Hellcat Pilot

34 confirmed victories - Navy Ace of Aces

Congressional Medal of Honor
Navy Cross (2)
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (valor)
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal (2)
Many WWII Campaign medals
Many post-war awards and honors




Photos courtesy of Jim Anderson
Col. C.E. "Bud" Anderson
8th Air Force - 357th Fighter Group

P-51 Mustang Pilot

16 1/4 confirmed victories - TRIPLE ACE

2 Legion of Merits
5 Distinguished Flying Crosses Bronze Star
16 Air Medals
French Croix de Guerre



Photos courtesy of Mr. Wagner

1st Lt. Richard Wagner
9th AAF
410th Bomb Group
645th Squadron

A-20, A-26 pilot. 52 missions in the European theatre.

Air Medal with 9 oak leaf clusters
WW2 Victory Medal
American Campaign Medal
Europe, African, Middle East Campaign Medal
Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing accuracy

Lt. Wagner is standing, second from the right. This is his last aircraft, an A-20 K model named the "Mary L".




Photo courtesy of the National Archives via Lee Cook
Cdr. William L. "Country" Landreth
Navy Squadron VF-17 - The Jolly Rogers, VF-10 Grim Reapers

Corsair Pilot

3 confirmed victories, .5 probable

Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star
Air Medal with 4 Gold Stars
Purple Heart
Navy Unit Commendation
Prisoner of War Medal




Photo courtesy of Jim Bitzegaio
Lt. Cdr. Harold J. "Bitz" Bitzegaio
Navy Squadron VF-17 - The Jolly Rogers, VF-10 Grim Reapers

Corsair Pilot

3 confirmed victories, 2 probable

Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star
Air Medal with 2 Gold Stars
Purple Heart
Navy Unit Commendation




Photo courtesy of Jack Chasnoff
Lt. (jg) Jack Chasnoff
Navy Squadron VF-17 - The Jolly Rogers

Corsair Pilot

2 confirmed victories, .5 probable

Navy Unit Commendation




Photos courtesy of Randy Scorby
Lt. Alexander K. Rozawich
ATC 3rd Ferrying Command

Pilot



Major Evans did not have any photos of his wings to send me but was kind enough to send some photos. He is authorized to wear the RAF pilot wing and the AAF pilot wing
Photos courtesy of Major Evans
Major Roy W. Evans
Eagle Squadron 121
335th FS, 4th Fighter Group
359th Fighter Group

Spitfire, P-47, P-51 Pilot

6 Confirmed Kills - ACE

Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Silver Star





Photos courtesy of Lt. McCoskey
1st Lt. Jack E. McCoskey
359th Fighter Group

P-51 Pilot, 40 missions

1.5 Confirmed Kills, 2 Damaged

Air Medal with 4 Oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War medal


Lt. McCoskey was kind enough to send me photos of his flight leader. He doesn't have any photos of his wings but I've added Col. Doersch as a personal favor to Lt. McCoskey.
Photos courtesy of Lt. McCoskey
Colonel George A. "Pop" Doersch
359th Fighter Group

P-47, P-51 Pilot

10.5 Confirmed Kills, 2 Damaged - DOUBLE ACE

Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Silver Star
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Service Award with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
The Croix de Guerre





Photos courtesy of S/Sgt Keller
S/Sgt Jack D. Keller
447th Bomb Group (H), 711th Bomb Squadron
Tail Gunner of B-17 "Ol'Scrapiron" A/C #231582

26 Missions





Photos courtesy of Major Kirry's son, John
Major Robert H. Kirry
99th Troop Carrier Squadron, 441st Troop Carrier Group

Pilot

Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters





Photos courtesy of S/Sgt Walt Osika
S/Sgt Walter H Osika
8th Air Force, 457th Bomber Group, 749th Squadron
B-17 Tail Gunner

22 Missions





Photos courtesy of Col. Durwood B Williams
Col. Durwood B Williams
333rd Fighter Squadron, 318thFighter Group, 7th Fighter Command, 7th Air Force.

P-47 Pilot, 46 missions, 326 combat hours

3 confirmed kills





Photos courtesy of Warrant Officer Norman Williamson
Warrant Officer, 1st Class, Norman Williamson
R.A.F. Bomber Command

Navigator





Photos courtesy of Cliffort Orth
Lewis H. Lane
Flight Instructor, Georgia, Florida & North Carolina



Photos courtesy of Phil How
Sgt. David Alfred William May
RAF Navigator



Photos courtesy of Terry Webb
Cpt. Allan W. "Pete" Webb
B-25 Bomber Pilot - 12th Air Force, 57th Bomb Wing, 321st Bomb Group, 445th Bomb Squadron



Photos courtesy of Ashley Rae Naumann
Lt. Col. Donald Burch
Pilot - 7th Fighter Squadron, Chinese American Composite Wing



Photos courtesy of Fred J Borgmann
S/Sgt Fred A. Borgmann
101st AB 327th GIR Co. B.



Photos courtesy of Kathy Morgan
S/Sgt Lawrence William Stephens
5th Air Force, 160th Liaison Squadron



Air Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 4 stars
WW II Victory Medal
Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 star
Marksman: Carbine




Photos courtesy of Derek Hughey
Daniel "Tommy" Tomlinson
1920s Naval Aviator, 1930s TWA pioneer pilot




Photos courtesy of Dave Handley
Captain Ward Carr Gilbert
US Naval Aviator




Photos courtesy of Ron Graziano
Captain Charles A. Ryan
American Airlines and Air Transport Command Pilot




Photos courtesy of Laurie Lohne
1st Lt. William B. Bonnifield
344th Squadron, 98th Bomb Group, 15th Army Air Forces, B-24 Bomber Pilot-in-Command, 1943-1946

Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
35 Sorties
265 Combat Hours




Lt. Theodore J. Munchhof
U.S. Army Air Service