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LOT 1296
Three Patches from China- Burma-India Theater Aviation Support Units - Two of the three patches bear a design featuring an American star over a shield with wings numbered “10”. One patch is bullion embroidered felt with a detached but included leather ring border. The other is embroidered leather with “1st
AIR COMMANDOS” in an integral rocker on top. Established in 1943, the 1st Air Commandos operated in support of the Chindit forces behind the lines in Burma in a variety of aviation roles, including transport, casualty evacuation,
air supremacy and ground attack. During their service in the CBI Theater, the 1st Air Commandos were credited as innovators in
air assault as well as the first unit
to use a helicopter in combat
and is recognized as one of the predecessor units of the modern First Special Operations Wing. The third patch is leather-on-leather construction, with a black question mark on a round brown field with a black border; this insignia is associated with the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), which provided aerial resupply, airlift, and parachute/glider support to the Chindits and Merrill’s Marauders in the CBI Theater.
CONDITION: Very good overall, with minor stains and wear.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1294
Grouping of U.S. Navy China-Burma-India Theater Artifacts - The grouping consists of two unit insignia patches, a leather name tag , a photo and a lighter. The name-tag is made out to a “Louie T. Kimple”, with English language text above and Chinese text below. The photo is of a United States Navy man
(no visible rank) wearing a patch associated with the Sino-American Cooperation Organization (SACO); established in 1943 as a joint Nationalist/American operation headed up in tandem by the chief of Chiang Kai-Shek’s secret police and the commander of the U.S. Navy’s intelligence outfit in China. The SACO
served as an intelligence gathering/sharing organization as well as a training center for Chinese guerrilla forces operating in Japanese occupied territory and other tasks. Both the smaller of the two patches and the lighter bear SACO associated emblems, the embroidered patch with a pennant marked “???!!!***” on
an anchor with a Nationalist star, and the lighter (Zippo brand) with a “CBI shield” on the lid and “U.S. NAVY/???!!!***/C.S. KELLOW” on the body. The larger of the two patches is embroidered rayon with a black leather reinforced border, featuring a purple Chinese dragon perched on a radio antenna. Neither Kimple or Kellow have been positively identified, and the unit associated with the larger patch is unknown. CONDITION: Fine overall, with minor wear and handling marks. The lighter has no flint or fuel, but otherwise appears to be in good order.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1295
Grouping of U.S. World War II China-Burma-India Theater Patches and Memorabilia - The grouping
includes two “flying tiger” patches (one 5 1/2 inches in diameter, multicolor embroidered on silk, one bullion
wire on black felt), one China-Burma-India patch (bullion wire on blue velvet), Amico-brand sterling silver
bomber wings, a patch for the 374th Bomb Squadron (leather on leather with paint accents, depicting a bat-
like creature carrying two bombs), and an embroidered silk drape/banner, about 52 inches long and 6 3/4
inches wide, blue field with 374th BS and Flying Tiger motifs, a dragon, U.S. Army Air Force and CBI emblems,
and “China/1944” decoration. The 374th was activated in 1942 and deployed to China in 1943, performing
bombing actions against Japanese ground and water assets. Also included are three copies of a picture of
American airmen at work around a B-24 bomber named “80 Days”; records on this bomber are limited but indicate it was with the 374th in China.
CONDITION: Very good, with wear appropriate to age. The bomber wings have one of the rear pins detached.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750 279