SOLVED - PARATI DEFEDERE BADGE
That badge is a pre-WWII / WWII US ARMY AIR CORPS 6th Bomb Group (VH - Very Heavy) [DUI] Distinctive Unit Insignia Crest
with Jean Lafitte? their Pirate mascot bearng the Parati Defendere motto - 'Always Ready' / 'Always Prepared to Defend (their Country)'
The 6th BG (VH) flew B-29s out of Tinian Island in the Marianas Islands during the War. My great uncle Captain Forest R. Johns (Woodstown, PA) was the Group Navigator and his plane went missing on 3-27-1945 during the first aerial mining mission of the Shimonoseki Strait between Honshu and Kyushu Japan for Operation Starvation. This exceptional crew (Capt. Paul A. Steel's) deserves a posthumous DFC - Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918" as much as any in the War. USAF please contact me for details.
In Memoriam
[16.] March 27, 1945: Night Mining, Shimonoseki Straits
Thirty aircraft flew to the Straits, the western entrance to Japan's Inland Sea, and dropped mines at night by radar. Two crews were lost on this mission. . . . . Both crews were from the 40th Squadron. The airplane and crews of Lt William C. Grounds and Lt Paul A. Steel were lost over the target. ["Pirate's Log", pp. 34-35]
The entire crew of Lt William C. Grounds successfully bailed out of the stricken plane. They were captured and imprisoned at the Omori POW camp. All survived the war.
Airplane #??. [Serial #42-69675], [Lt. Paul A. Steel], "The Bad Penny", 40th Squadron
Five minutes after "Bombs Away" Lt Steel's crew sent a distress message telling of "one engine out", but this was the last report received. Twelve search sorties were flown by the Sixth with only negative results. ["Pirate's Log", p. 35]
The crew was never found.
Missing in Action:
1st Lt Paul A. Steel [A/C]
1st Lt Gayle W. Newman [Pilot]
Capt Forrest R. Johns [Group Navigator]
Capt Robert S. Miller [Group Bombardier]
2d Lt Ambrose F. Van Dyke [Engineer]
Sgt Peter J. Thomas [Radio]
Sgt Frank K. Ostberg [Radarman]
Sgt Charles S. Lyczko [CFC]
Sgt Charles R. Albert [L Gunner]
Sgt Daniel J. Lucarini [R Gunner]
Sgt Angel M. Ocasio [T Gunner]
[Source: "Pirate's Log", Appendix]
This crew is memorialized at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
They also took part in the March 9, 1945 incendiary firebombing of Tokyo which destroyed 16.9 square miles of their Capital - No the Japanese still would not quit.
In November, 1944 the group was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), being assigned to the XXI Bomber Command 313th Bombardment Wing, being stationed at North Field, Tinian, The group entered combat by flying navigational escort for a major attack force bound for Iwo Jima. The 6th then began engaging in very long range bombardment missions over the Japanese Home Islands, striking Tokyo and other major Japanese cities and facilities during daylight high-altitude bombing raids, with crippling, non-stop incendiary raids which destroyed lines of communication, supply, and numerous kamikaze bases.
On 25 May 1945, the 6th flew a low-altitude night mission through alerted enemy defenses to drop incendiary bombs on Tokyo, for which they received their first Distinguished Unit Citation. In addition to incendiary raids, the 6th also participated in mining operations. By mining harbors in Japan and Korea in July 1945, the group contributed to the blockade of the Japanese Empire earning their second Distinguished Unit Citation. The 6th's final World War II mission came on 14 August 1945, with the dropping of 500-pound general purpose bombs on the Marifu railroad yards at Iwakuni.
I have seen a few different markings/makers like: the most common N.S. Meyer New York & Massaro 6C3. J.R. Gaunt, Made in England
The 6th Bomb Group: Tinian Island
Originals in very good condition with lovely enamel, good patination, and intact screwbacks typically sell for $50-$100 on ebay.
contact me: Bob Mateljan at
arguswebster@yahoo.com
but......
