US WWII USAAF Air Medal, POW Grouping, Caterpillar Pin, Bombardier, 456th Bomb Group
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: $595.00

Original era manufacture. A nicely researched grouping of a USAAF Bombardier assigned to the 456th Bomb Group, a B-24 Liberator group with the 15th Air Force based in Italy.Most of the crews missions were flown on the B-24 "Boojum", until their last mission on April 3rd 1944, flying a replacement aircraft "The Texas Ranger" (42-997849). The mission target was Budapest, when flying over Mostar Yugoslavia, their aircraft took a Flak hit, damaging No.2 engine. Rapidly losing altitude, the crew attempted to lighten the aircraft by jettisoning the bomb load, and throwing out every unneeded item in an attempt to remain airborne. Unfortunately the Flight Engineer's parachute was also thrown out the bomb bay. This prevented the pilot, co-pilot and the wounded navigator from exiting the plane. The remaining crew, including our bombardier, bailed out, and spent the remainder of the war as prisoners of the Germans.With "The Texas Ranger" now considerably lightened, the pilot was able to regain control of the B-24, and make it back to base. Bombardier Lt. Edward C. Bonham was held at Stalag Luft 3 near Sagen Germany.The lot includes his named, wrap brooch Air Medal, cased, with shipping box, ribbon bar and lapel button. American Campaign Medal, ETO Medal with three campaign stars. His 1st Lieutenant bars, Caterpillar pin from the Irvin Chute company, membership card, and mailing envelope to his parents from the Irving Chute company.       Also included are 28 pages of information regarding the crew of "The Texas Ranger" on the 3rd of April 1944. A nice piece of history.