A SSM/PH Recipient B-17 Pilot in the 8th AAF with a huge research surprise!

Lt George B. B-E-C-K-H-E-L-M enlisted in the Army in 1942. He was commissioned as a pilot in 1943 and quickly made his way to the 8th AAF in England. He flew several missions as a co-pilot before the fateful day in June of 1943 when his B-17 took a direct hit, severely wounding this LT. Please read the newspaper articles below and witness the moment captured on film by an official Army Air Force photographer when this brave officer was awarded the Silver Star. I was completely shocked when I stumbled across this photo!

This particular uniform is his cropped jacket (not pictured) that was manufactured and then tailored in England. All of the insignia is wartime original. I am currently waiting on his records and I will update the thread whenever they make it in. Enjoy! This one is amazing to hold in person. You just can't beat Wolf-Brown ribbon bars and Sterling insignia!

5th Division Company Commander: Highly Decorated Silver Star and Military Cross Recipient

To start off this thread, I have to first say I have never seen a man that has served in so many capacities in so many different branches of service! Captain Joseph F-E-K-E-T-E Jr was born in New York in 1909. At the young age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with them from Jan '26 through Oct '29. It was during this time he was awarded the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal and the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal. In 1933, he continued his service to this nation in the Navy serving as a Sea2C until 1937. Wanting something less liquid under his boots he then joined the Army, serving as an enlistedman from 1937 until Sept 16 1940 when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt under the New York National Guard. He found his way to the Easy Company, 2nd Regiment, 5th Infantry Division which he eventually wound up being the Company Commander when the previous CC was captured as a POW. In November of 1944, his fearless leadership saved numerous members of his company (read the citations below) and he was awarded the Silver Star Medal AND the British Military Cross for this particular battle.

This uniform came to me minus the ribbons and metal insignia which currently reside in Tarbridge's collection. Capt F-E-K-E-T-E's medals also can be seen here :

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/225704-tennessee-military-collectors-association-the-fatherson-grouping-i-found-at-the-show/

I painstakingly restored the ribbon bar using all period correct pieces (which is no easy task) and it matches his originals perfectly.

Please take a moment to read the Citations and think about the bravery and courage this man displayed on a November day over 72 years ago!