Original Item. Only One Available. This is a signed print of “The Eyes of Eagles” by Michael Short, signed at the bottom by Chuck Yeager, Bud Anderson, William Overstreet, & William “O’Bee” Brian. The frame is well-put together and the print is very clear. This is a limited run print, number 607/1250.

This print was commissioned as a tribute to the men of the 363 rd Squadron of the 357 th Fighter Group. The scene shows the North American P-51 Mustangs of the Squadron assembling over southeast England. In 15 months of combat flying the 357 th destroyed 609.5 enemy aircraft in the air and 106.5 on the ground. The group shot down more Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters (18) and created more aces (42) than any other group. The pilots signing this print accounted for 41.5 aerial combat victories.

General Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager began flying with the 363 rd in early 1944. He was shot down on his 9 th mission but successfully evaded capture and made his way to Spain. Yeager became an "ace in a day" by downing 5 Luftwaffe fighters on October 12, 1944. He ended the war with 11.5 victories including a Messerschmitt Me262 jet fighter. He is well known as the first man to exceed the sound barrier in the Bell X-1, but also also set a record of Mach 2.44 shortly after Scott Crossfield first flew faster than Mach 2 in 1953. His decorations include 2 Distinguished Service Medals, 2 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, 11 Air Medals, a Purple Heart and the Peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor.

Colonel C.E. "Bud" Anderson achieved 16.5 aerial combat victories in 116 combat missions over two tours of duty. Post-war he served as a fighter test pilot and Chief of Fighter Operations at Wright Patterson AFB, and as Chief of Flight Test Operations and Deputy Director of Flight Test at Edwards AFB. His decorations include 2 Legions of Merit, 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, 16 Air Medals and the French Croix de Guerre.

Captain William R. "O'Bee" O'Brien achieved 5.5 air victories in 300 hours of flying over 77 missions. He assumed command of the 555 th Fighter Squadron, 496 th FG in north England in August 1944.

Captain William B. Overstreet flew extended tours with the 363 rd beginning in November 1943 and achieved 8 air combat victories. In a truly remarkable incident his P-51 suffered flak damage at 25,000 feet which severed his oxygen supply. He lost consciousness for 90 minutes - but the Mustang stayed aloft until running out of fuel! He regained consciousness with the engine dead and the aircraft in a spin. He restarted the engine, and flew successfully back to England, presumably having the presence of mind to switch to a secondary fuel tank. He often flew in Anderson's flight and often as wingman.

An excellent print with no hanging wire, but can be hung along the edge, likely needing two screws.

Ready to display.