Reply to post

Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
Rowdy
Group Member
  • Total Posts : 119
  • Reward points : 2388
  • Joined:
  • Status: offline
(permalink)
0

Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate

I am seeking a HQ scan of a 491st BG mission completion certificate that was issued to aircrew that completed their tour (see example).  In some Groups they were called a Lucky Bastard Club certificate, but at other times in the 2nd Division they were called a Certificate of Valor, or in some cases it was a formalized and certified list of missions signed by the base CO and a Squadron CO.
 
It is not unusual for otherwise well versed group historians to not have heard of these certificates as they were somewhat scarce.  Anyone not completing a full tour would not have gotten one; nor would a man who had been shot down and/or taken POW or EVD as he would not have completed a full tour.  Also, it appears that an airman who completed his tour before Fall 1943 may not have received one. 
 
Examples that were issued in other 2nd Division Groups are illustrated below.  I am in the process of writing and illustrating a book on the subject…hope you can help.  Send me a PM so I can get an email notification.  Thank you.

Attached Image(s)

Quote  #1

4 Replies Related Threads
    Bob Watkins
    'Battle Colors'
    • Total Posts : 1551
    • Reward points : 8871
    • Joined:
    • Location: Colorado
    • Status: offline
    Re:Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate (permalink)
    0
    Don't know if it will help in your quest, but if your interested
    in a b&w image of a 497thBG(H) 'Lucky Bastard Club'
    certificate I have one on file that I could post for you.

    Let me know.

    Bob
    Quote  #2
    Rowdy
    Group Member
    • Total Posts : 119
    • Reward points : 2388
    • Joined:
    • Status: offline
    Re:Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate (permalink)
    0
    Bob,

      I would be interested in seeing what you have.  Although I've been focused on the Eighth, it would certainly be worth exploring more widely.  One of the goals I have is to try and determine where this program originated.

    Rowdy
    Quote  #3
    Bob Watkins
    'Battle Colors'
    • Total Posts : 1551
    • Reward points : 8871
    • Joined:
    • Location: Colorado
    • Status: offline
    Re:Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate (permalink)
    0
    My apologies Rowdy, I miss-keyed when I was was typing
    and didn't catch it in time.

    I meant to say 487thBG, not the 497th.

    Sorry about that!

    Anyway, here is is.

    Good luck with your research.

    Bob

    Attached Image(s)

    Quote  #4
    Rowdy
    Group Member
    • Total Posts : 119
    • Reward points : 2388
    • Joined:
    • Status: offline
    Re:Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate (permalink)
    0
    Rowdy

    I am seeking a HQ scan of a 491st BG mission completion certificate that was issued to aircrew that completed their tour (see example).  In some Groups they were called a Lucky Bastard Club certificate, but at other times in the 2nd Division they were called a Certificate of Valor, or in some cases it was a formalized and certified list of missions signed by the base CO and a Squadron CO.

    It is not unusual for otherwise well versed group historians to not have heard of these certificates as they were somewhat scarce.  Anyone not completing a full tour would not have gotten one; nor would a man who had been shot down and/or taken POW or EVD as he would not have completed a full tour.  Also, it appears that an airman who completed his tour before Fall 1943 may not have received one. 

    Examples that were issued in other 2nd Division Groups are illustrated below.  I am in the process of writing and illustrating a book on the subject…hope you can help.  Send me a PM so I can get an email notification.  Thank you.


    Bumping this one up...still need an example from the 491lst.  Have determined that they exist.

    Rowdy
    Quote  #5
    Jump to:
    © 2013 APG vNext Commercial Version 4.3