Lot 182
World War II - The War in the Pacific - A Pilot's Calendar of Airstrikes on Pacific Islands and Signatures of Five Survivors of the USS Indianapolis. A 1943 "Petty" address book and calendar belonging to an unknown pilot, with over 60 handwritten entries in pencil, detailing over 40 airstrikes on various Pacific islands, e.g., Rabul (Papua New Guinea), noting on Feb. 6 that he was forced down at Torekuia, "Bombs hung up," and on Feb. 8 "shot down 2 zeros & 2 probables," and "Hit in knee by flak" on Feb. 22; Woleai (Eastern Caroline Islands), Biak Island (he notes on May 6 that "#4 Eng. ran out of gas"), Truk Islands, etc. On Nov. 22 he notes, "Was awarded Air Medal for leading flight on Nauru Mission." Numerous other interesting notes.
Accompanied by signatures of five of the 316 survivors of the USS Indianapolis, which was torpedoed on July 30, 1945 after delivering the atomic bomb to Tinian Island on July 26. Signed on separate cards, they are Ed Harrell, USMC CPL; Donald Beatty, Seaman 1st Class; John Heller, Seaman 2nd Class; John F. Babcock; and Erwin F. Hensch, Lt. Asst. Engineer.
Also, a 4-page letter on Williams Field letterhead from "Mike" to a friend: "…I've never been through such a rough campaign before. Missions over enemy territory almost every week…Sometimes I don't even remember where Ive been. What a war. Who's ahead?" Additionally, an unsigned letter from a B 25 Crew Chief to his mother, "The news is good for us but rather sorry for the Nips with the atomic bomb and the Russians now waging war against them…"; and a 1952 letter with kind thoughts from a Japanese man to an American soldier who had been part of the occupation. Estimate Value $300 - UP
The Michael Hecht Autograph Collection.
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| Realized $120 |
