Fall 2024 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 88:
Description
Edward Franklin Rector (September 28, 1916-April 26, 2001) was a colonel in the USAF a fighter ace of WWII and a member of the Flying Tigers. On December 10, 1941 Rector was part of a three-plane photo reconnaissance mission from Rangoon to Bangkok. On December 20 when the Flying Tigers engaged in combat for the first time during a raid by Hanoi-based Japanese aircraft on the Chinese city of Kunming, Rector provided the American Volunteer Group with its first aerial victory and would later record the last in a long list of 23rd Fighter Group air-to-air kills. In May 1942, he played a critical role in locating and attacking Japanese military columns attempting a push into China at the Salween River Gorge. This allowed the Chinese time to blow up a key bridge across the river, and the Japanese subsequently retreated into Burma. Rector was credited with having destroyed 10.5 Japanese aircraft in aerial combat during the war. Charles Rankin Bond, Jr. (April 22, 1915-August 18, 2009) was an American pilot and USAF officer. He served with the Flying Tigers in Burma and China during World War II. He was shot down twice and was credited with shooting down 9.5 Japanese airplanes. He later served in the Soviet Union as an aide and personal pilot to Averell Harriman. He rose to the rank of Major General and, during the Vietnam War, he was the deputy commanding officer of the 2nd Air Division in Vietnam and the 13th Air Force in the Philippines. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1968 as commander of the 12th Air Force. In 1984, Bonds diary of his service with the Flying Tigers was published and became a bestseller. 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.
Share this lot:
