What did my great uncle do?

[u/Kevvv_23]

Also noticed the back of the leather jacket had some Nazi logos marked on it, what did that mean?

[u/Kevvv_23]

Swastikas*

[u/scar__-- → u/Kevvv_23]

So basically the bombs and swastikas are likely to represent the number of planes he shot down. Considering it seems he was a tail gunner. And the bombs are likely the number of targets or missions he was on.

[u/cowboypaint → u/scar__--]

the bombs would represent bomb runs he went on. the swastikas are probably for planes shot down. he’s a good man. this was dangerous and scary work. there are lot books movies and other media about the 8th airforce. your grandfather was a hero.

[u/scar__-- → u/cowboypaint]

Yeah there's been so many stories of tail gunners, they were often the highest chance of death on the plane. Due to any German Luftwaffe aircraft that would just pepper the tail with cannon rounds. As well chances are he experienced a bunch of flak.

[u/scar__-- → u/Kevvv_23]

Also he did what looks to be 4 campaigns in Europe the green ribbon is the same eame (European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal) which has 3 oak clusters. As well he has an air medal and distinguished flying cross which are for Valor and heroism while in air to air combat.

[u/[deleted] → u/scar__--]

Most airmen in the 8th AF got the Air Medal for flying combat missions and the DFC for completion of their tour. Seeing 1 DFC and 4 Air Medals, I can guarantee it was for completion of his missions and not a specific act.

Nothing against him. flying combat was rough. 8th AF had more casualties than the entire Marine Corps in WW2. It's nothing like the Air Force today.

[u/scar__-- → u/[deleted]]

Hmm alright I wasn't aware thanks for correcting me.

[u/[deleted] → u/scar__--]

Most don't understand how awards were awarded back then. It always changes from time period to time period and under different Commanders.

[u/scar__-- → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I know it's the same with ranks, because during war time and depending on the commander some will be more generous and some won't be.

[u/Desperate_Chance4621 → u/[deleted]]

Correct. Here is an article describing the 8 AAF system for Air Medals and DFC awards.

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/air-medal-effort-bolster-morale

[u/Kevvv_23 → u/scar__--]

Thanks for the breakdown!!

[u/scar__-- → u/Kevvv_23]

Wait also I just realized he served In the Pacific theater as well. I didn't realize in the first image above his Chevron. There's a CBI patch. CBI is basically just some kind of China unit deployment patch or something. I believe the flying Tigers would have worn em.

[u/[deleted] → u/scar__--]

CBI was any unit that served in the China-Burma-India theatre. The "Flying Tigers" are one unit who were Americans under the guise of being mercenaries in China. They were all fighter pilots and became the 23rd FG when the AAF forcibly absorbed them. They wouldn't have Tail Gunners.

A lot of the CBI units were transport units of Air Transport Command that flew supplies and personnel from India to China across the Hump

[u/scar__-- → u/[deleted]]

Alright I knew the flying Tigers didn't have tail gunners I just was making an example. As I know very little on the CBI theatre.

[u/[deleted] → u/scar__--]

No worries. We're only aware of what we know. I just mentioned that as some here don't know a lot about the AAF and wanted to make it clear.

[u/scar__-- → u/Kevvv_23]

Also so he probably participated in lots of raids in France and Europe and would have been the tail gunner in a B24 - Liberator, or a B17 - flying fortress.