{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-patrol-bombing-squadron-102-naval-aviator-uniform-grouping-with-western-g-46-6-shark-fighting-knife-m3-holster-annotated-mission-maps-and-ephemera-william-p-mcdonnell","title":"Original U.S. WWII Patrol Bombing Squadron 102 Naval Aviator Uniform Grouping with Western G-46-6 \"Shark\" Fighting Knife, M3 Holster, Annotated Mission Maps, and Ephemera - William P. McDonnell","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is the outstanding WWII Naval Aviator uniform grouping of William P. McDonnell, who flew combat missions with Patrol Bombing Squadron 117 of the U.S. Navy during World War II. McDonnell served as both a Navigator and then pilot. The group consists of his uniform jacket, trousers, visor cap, his Western G-46-6 “Shark fighting knife, his M3 holster, several hand-annotated maps used on combat missions, his original Navy Separation file, several original documents, and some great photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Air Medal citation reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor meritorious achievement in aerial flight while attached to a Patrol Bomber in Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWO, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Iwo Jima and Tokyo Areas from July 30 to August 12, 1945. Participating in five missions during this period, Lieutenant, Junior Grade (then Ensign) McDonnell contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Naval Service.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping consists of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- McDonnell’s Navy Aviator uniform jacket with Lieutenant cuff ranks, gold-colored naval aviator wings over the left breast pocket, and a five-place ribbon bar including the Air Medal, Navy Unit Commendation medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with 1 star, and the WWII Victory Medal. The jacket is named on the interior pocket tag “W.P. MCDONNELL” and dated 2\/11\/44. It was tailored by the Abbott Military Tailors in Baltimore, Maryland. Over this is a monogram for him.\u003cbr\u003e- McDonnell’s matching uniform trousers, good shape.\u003cbr\u003e- McDonnell’s Navy officer’s visor with a small piece of paper inside with his name and address. No size marking but likely size 7.\u003cbr\u003e- Three GREAT period maps of the Pacific with period annotations by McDonnell from his combat missions! These are great and are worthy of being framed!\u003cbr\u003e- WWII Western G-46-6 \"Shark\" Fighting Knife with Correct Leather Scabbard. This example has a 6 inch long single-edged clip-point blade, which has a broad fuller below the spine. The blade is 1” wide, and is of very sturdy construction. The oval ended cross guard is in good condition, but is a little loose due to leather shrinkage. The stacked leather grip is stained, but still solid and in very good condition, with no looseness we can feel, and the black \/ red \/ black spacers at the end are in good shape as well. The pommel cap is solid, and secured to the end of the tang in two places. The blade ricasso is marked for Western of Boulder, Colorado with the correct patent number. There is some heavy finish loss from period use. The scabbard is in great shape with a working securing strap and snap. There is oxidation on the crossguard. A very rare knife.\u003cbr\u003e- McDonnell’s M3 Holster by BOYT dated 1944, with cartridge loops sewn onto the strap. The loops even retain 15 cartridges, a great detail. One of the snaps at the bottom of the holster has broken off.\u003cbr\u003e- McDonnell’s leather nametag from his leather combat jacket. \u003cbr\u003e- Air Medal in original presentation case with ribbon and lapel pin, not engraved. Inside has a baggage identification tag incorrectly spelling his name “McDonnald”.\u003cbr\u003e- McDonnell’s original Air Medal citation certificate from the Secretary of the Navy.\u003cbr\u003e- McDonnell’s original separation document, giving much information about his service.\u003cbr\u003e- Several other period documents and orders for travel to other locations.\u003cbr\u003e- Laminated page showing the history and honors of Patrol Bombing Squadron 117. We couldn’t find records of him serving in this squadron but he likely did given the presence of this document. \u003cbr\u003e- Copy of “Navigator’s Digest” named to McDonnell on interior.\u003cbr\u003e- Large scale photograph of a Patrol Bomber, likely piloted by McDonnell as it comes in a large envelope shipped to his mother in Iowa. Measures 15 ½ x 20” but is a bit wavy.\u003cbr\u003e- Several great photographs showing them near the squadron headquarters, next to some saucy nose art, and more!\u003cbr\u003e- More ephemera including a letter and some documents. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWilliam P. McDonnell of Delmar, Iowa\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWilliam Patrick McDonnell was born on June 17th, 1920 in DeWitt, Iowa. He entered the service on December 18th, 1942 and joined the Navy Air Corps. McDonnell was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy Air Corps at Pensacola, Florida on May 26th, 1944. During his service, McDonnell clocked 1,117 hours of flight as a Naval Aviator in all types of navy planes. He served with several Patrol Bombing Squadrons including VPB-197, VPB-200, VPB-102, and VPB-117, with VPB-102 being his combat squadron. He saw combat in the Asiatic-Pacific theater, being awarded one campaign star and the Air Medal. He separated from the service as a Lieutenant on January 28th, 1946. McDonnell remained an aviator in the post-war period and served at least into the late 1950s. McDonnell passed away on January 24th, 1961 in San Diego, California, at the age of 40.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn outstanding WWII Naval aviator’s grouping, ready for display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45147598651461,"sku":"ONJR26MYMF089","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/D65A6F94-742A-4F95-B4F3-465F2864887D.jpg?v=1781286785","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-patrol-bombing-squadron-102-naval-aviator-uniform-grouping-with-western-g-46-6-shark-fighting-knife-m3-holster-annotated-mission-maps-and-ephemera-william-p-mcdonnell","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}