US WWII, B-17 Bombardier, Air Medal & Photo Group, KIA 1-14-1945
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $450.00

Original period manufacture. An emotive grouping regarding the service and sacrifice, of a USAAF Bombardier, Lt. S. F. Reid (O-773000), who served in the crew of a 487th Bomb Group B-17, which was shot down near Berlin, on the 14th of January 1945.Apparently the aircraft (44-8563), was attacked by Luftwaffe fighters from the front and rear, the Co-Pilot who was acting as an observer in the tail of the plane was killed by 20 mm cannon fire while spotting for enemy fighter aircraft, Lt. Reid was never seen again after he bailed out. The remainder of the crew safely exited the aircraft before it exploded, however, that was the last time any of the crew saw Lt. Reid dead or alive. In the Missing Aircrew Report, several of the crew wrote of seeing Lt. Reid bail out, but knew nothing further regarding his fate. One thought he might have been strafed by enemy fighters while suspended in his chute (the radio operator was shot at but survived), or perhaps killed by German civilians on the ground, another thought perhaps his parachute malfunctioned, damaged prior to bail-out from all of the metal flying around inside the aircraft. One crewman wrote of seeing Lt. Reid firing the chin turret MG's at attacking enemy aircraft prior to bailing out. He lies buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Plot B, Row 38, Grave 42, in Neupre Belgium. His grouping includes his named, wrap brooch Air Medal and case, his full size Bombardier wings, a two inch pair of Bombardier wings, his NOK dogtag, Presidential Unit Citation, a very nice pair of WWII period aviator sunglasses, Ryan Field California Log Book, a great portrait photograph of him in flying helmet & goggles (damage to upper right corner), an assortment of small insignia, and some basic copies of preliminary research.