Fall 2024 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 90:
Description
Thomas Lloyd Hayes Jr. (March 31, 1917-July 24, 2008) was an Army Air Force flying ace during WWII. During World War II, Hayes was credited with the destruction of 8.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 probable and 1 shared destruction in missions over Europe. He was also credited with 2 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground while strafing an enemy airfield in the Pacific. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1970 at the rank of brigadier general. William O Bee O Brien (November 21, 1921-March 5, 2006) served his country as a Captain in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a highly decorated pilot in the 357 Fighter Group / 363 Squadron and saw combat in the European theater of operations. Obie knew at an early age his destiny was to be in the cockpit, from his first flight in 1937 onboard a Ford Tri-motor to his last flights in an F4-U Corsair at the age of 87. His real home was in the cockpit as a fighter pilot. Upon graduating from Malvern Preparatory School, he promptly enlisted in the Navy’s Aviation Midshipmen program in July 1946 and began his Navy flying career after two years attending Villanova, earning his golden wings in 1950. His first squadron, the VF-44 Hornets, is where flew combat missions in the iconic Corsair and later assignments to VFP-68, flying the F-8 Crusader. Obies career spanned 625 carrier landings on 21 different carriers and over 7,000 flight hours of which 1,100 are in the Corsair. Retiring as a Commander after a 30-year career. O Brien had 5 victories. The approximate size is 8 x 10 inches. These signed photos are copies of actual period photos. The signatures are original. Good overall condition.
Condition: See description for notes on condition. Please note that all items are sold as is without returns, so please ask questions in advance of bidding.
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