WWII US Army Air Corps AAF Air Medal Group Pearl Harbor KIA Over Bougainville For Sale

I purchased this group from a military forum several years back because I was taken by its story (and still am). Sergeant Herbert J. Kelly\'s entry into WWII was instantaneous as he was with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron stationed at Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on 7 December 1941. Later in the war, SGT Kelly (23rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group (Heavy), 13th AAF) was assistant flight engineer on board the B-17E \"Tokyo Taxi\" SN 41-9153 when she was shot down by PO2 Yamauchi\'s J1N1 night fighter on the Kahili Air Field, Bougainville mission of 19 July 1943. (See MACR Summary Below.) The entire crew was lost and then placed on the Missing in Action list. Since a finding of death could not be determined at the time, it wouldn\'t be until 11 January 1946 when the crew was relisted as Killed in Action. Herbert Kelly\'s family was issued his officially engraved Air Medal at the time, but his family did not receive his Purple Heart. The family wrote repeatedly for the medal in 1946, but seemingly ran up against red tape from the government the entire time. They never received it. Fast forward to 1989. SGT Kelly\'s half-brother begins writing the government once more to request the lost medal though his senator\'s office. He supplies paperwork and F.O.D. information when, on 17 April 1990, the Purple Heart medal is finally awarded. In 1991 he furthers the cause by requesting the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal for his brother as well since he was at Hickam Field at the time of the attack.

This poignant group consists of Sgt. Kelly\'s WWII officially hand engraved air medal in its case with ribbon and lapel pin (this is also inside its original transmittal white box). This medal is officially engraved and awarded on 3 July 1943. The group also contains includes Sgt Kelly\'s reissued Air Medal (not engraved) and another important non-engraved medal that comes with its citation copy nearly 50 years late. Both of these medals come with their ribbons, lapel pins, and their brown transmittal outer cartons. The group also includes Sgt Kelly\'s sterling wrist bracelet, sterling silver 3\" Air Crew wings, and sterling silver mechanic\'s badge. Furthermore, in looking into the box this group was stored in, his American Campaign medal with one star is also included. Finally, this group also includes 20 pages of the paperwork involved with the issuing of these medals and the difficulty it took to finally have them awarded. Sergeant Kelly nd his crew were never seen again after that Bougainville Mission. He and his mates are memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio, Philippines and are also noted on the Tablets of the Missing at the Punchbowl in Hawaii. I am incredibly indebted to Sgt Kelly and all of the other men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending this great nation. This medal grouping has been used in over 20 school and library presentations since I have been its caretaker. I hope its further stewardship with another caretaker will further keep Sgt Kelly\'s memory alive.
This grouping will be shipped USPS Priority at no cost. This group comes from a smoke free home. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to message me. Thank you for viewing this item and have a wonderful day.

Mission History
On July 19, 1943 One of nine B-17s that took off from Carney Field on Guadalcanal around midnight on a night bombing mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin).

Over the target, this B-17 took the lead position, and was targeted by searchlights on the ground and shot down by a Japanese night fighter. Last sighted by Captain Sabin at 2:30am 8-10 miles north of Kahili Airfield. Captain Anthony Dean Lucas aboard B-17E \"Li\'ll Nell\" 41-9222 observed this bomber shot down in flames.

Diary of Captain Anthony Dean Lucas July 19, 1943 who was pilot of B-17E \"Li\'ll Nell\" 41-9222:
\"July 19, 1943: Nine ships of our squadron took off around midnight to bomb Kahili airfield. All my bombs hit on the target from 14,000 feet. While on the beginning of my bombing run I saw one of my best friends go down in flames. Shot down by Jap night fighters. He was Lt., soon to be Capt., Eckles, of Santa Barbara. We had been together for the past year in the 23rd [Bombardment Squadron]. We were both [flight school class] 42E men. His was a real crew, with some swell men, co-pilot, Lt. Jones, a classmate of my co-pilot, Bomb. Lt. Knop, Nav. Lt. Fox, Enj., Sgt. Kelly, Ass. Enj., Sgt. Greene, Radio, Sgt. Davis, Hill and a couple of other men. I\'m going to ask if I can take Rex\'s personal things home to his folks, and one day wife in Santa Barbara.\"

In fact, this B-17 was shot down by Japanese J1N1 Irving night fighter. Justin Taylan adds:
\"I researched the Japanese side of this mission in Japan at the Tokyo Defense Archives. According to Japanese records, a J1N1 piloted by Tokumoto took off from Ballale Airfield at 10:40pm. At 11:15pm sighted a B-24 and made three attacks and claiming it shot down. Next, at 2:15 local time sighted a B-17 and made three attacks, claiming it shot down. Damaged in both engines, the J1N1 ditched into the sea and sank, killing the observer in the crash. Confirmed by Lucas\' diary entry, the claim for the B-17 at 2:15 is most certainly this bomber.\"

This B-17 was due back at base by 6:00am, with a maximum endurance of 9:00am. When it failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Search
Two aircraft unsuccessfully searched for the B-17, taking off at 10:15am and returning at 15:15. They reported unlimited visibility over Santa Isabel and Choiseul, as far north as the straights between Choiseul and Fauro. At Long 156 degrees 25\' west and Lat 6 degrees 35\' South, what was thought to be a CO2 bottle was spotted, but nothing further was sighted.

Memorials
Officially, the entire crew was declared dead on January 11, 1946. Eckles, Savedge, Hensley, Greene, Hill, Davis and Kelly are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Jones, Knop and Fox are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Hawaii Cemetery (Punchbowl). Credit: Pacific Wrecks