Fall 2024 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 96:
Description
George Chandler (February 1, 1921-July 13, 2010) enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and ordered to start training in January 1942, graduating as a pilot in the summer of 1942 and ordered to overseas duty immediately. George Chandler was a decorated World War II fighter pilot, flying P-40 fighters in New Guinea and P-38 fighters in the Solomon Islands with the highly respected 339th Fighter Squadron of the 13th Air Force on Guadalcanal. It was the first squadron to be equipped with the P-38 fighters. In the air fighting from Guadalcanal up through the Solomon Islands to Rabaul, he flew more than 100 combat missions and shot down five Japanese fighters. Twice he had to return from a mission with one engine shot out on his P-38. A recognized fighter ace, George was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. Frank D. Hurlbut (July 20, 1922-2017) began his military career at age 17 in the Utah National Guard. In February 1942 he transferred to the Army Air Forces for flight training and graduated as a staff sergeant pilot at Luke Field, Arizona on 27 August 1942. After a stint in P-39s at Dale Mabrey Field, Florida, he was sent to England and was promoted to flight officer in December. Sent to North Africa as a replacement pilot, he transitioned into P-38s and was assigned to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying a P-38 named Hells Angels. On his third mission on II April 1943, Hurlbut scored his first victory when his flight intercepted 25 Ju-S2s evacuating key personnel from North Africa. He downed one but his aircraft was hit and he had to crash-land. On 20 May he destroyed a FW-190 and damaged a Me-109, and on 18 June, escorting B-25s to Sardinia, he shot down a Me-109, followed by a Me 109 probable, and minutes later destroyed an Italian Re.2001. Hurlbut became an ace on 10 July during the Sicilian invasion, downing three FW-l09s and damaging another. On 7 August, he claimed a FW-190 destroyed and a Me-109 damaged. He scored his last victory on 2 September, downing a Me-109 after a 75-mile chase. After 50 missions he returned to the States and instructed in P-38s and later in P-61s at Van Nuys, California. During World War II, he became an ACE, credited with shooting down 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Hurlbut remained in the post-war Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in August 1964. 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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