James Watkins signed card. US WWII Fighter Ace.49th Pursuit Group. 12 kills !!

Description: Nice, signed 5x3 white unlined card by WWII Ace James Watkins. Signed over a preprinted bio stickerl From Randygreenart...James Albert (Duckbutt) Watkins was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi on 26 August 1920. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on 10 February 1941 and was commissioned upon completion of flight training at Craig Field, Alabama on 26 September. Assigned initially to the 36th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group at Mitchell Field, New York for fighter transition on 15 December he transferred to the 9th Pursuit Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group and moved with the group to Australia in January 1942. They received their P-40s in Australia and, after a brief training period, provided air defense for the Northern Territory. Moving to Port Moresby, New Guinea in October, they were engaged primarily in the defense of Port Moresby. Watkins scored his first victory on 26 December 1942, downing a Zero southwest of Dobodura. The group began receiving their first P-38s in February 1943, and the 9th was the first squadron to complete their transition. By summer Watkins had been promoted to captain and began scoring heavily in the P-38 – four Tonys destroyed on 26 July and three Oscars two days later. He continued his multiple scoring the next month, downing three Oscars on 2 August. Sent home in September 1943, Watkins became a fighter instructor at various West Coast bases. He returned to combat in February 1945 on the 49th Fighter Group staff and logged one final victory on 2 April. He remained overseas until January 1948, serving with the occupation forces in Japan. Following the war, Watkins served in a variety of nuclear and special weapons test posts, advancing to colonel in 1955. He was also the first commander of the 4926th Test Squadron (sampling). The only Air Force Atomic Cloud Sampling unit. In this capacity he trained pilots and helped develop equipment and tactics. Subsequent assignments included duty in Turkey and Chief of Foreign Military Sales Division for the Air Force. Retiring in February 1970, he became active in the insurance industry. Tally Record: 12 confirmed and one probable kill. Decorations: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Nice bold original sig/info ! UACC Reg Dealer #200. Buyer pays $3.95 shipping. Insurance for loss IS included through Auctiva.! YES>>>We DO combine for reduced shipping charges. Foreign orders...please enquire as to your shipping rates. I cannot be held accountable for the orders arrival when shipping a package internationally. If i am to be responsible for the package, a fee for Registered Mail ($14) must be added in addition to the postage. If the International Registered fee is declined that is fine, but I can't be held responsible for the arrival of your purchase in your Country. If you do want to have it shipped Registered, let me know ASAP, and i will send an adjusted invoice. Track Page Views WithAuctiva's Counter

Price: 8.95 USD

Location: Framingham, Massachusetts

End Time: 2025-01-14T16:07:44.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.95 USD