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Deceased B17 Veteran's belongings

Wed May 20, 2009 2:39 pm

Hello all,

I need help in locating the right outlet for a bunch of belongings of a recently deceased B17 pilot by the name of Victor Lawrence. He did 32 missions out of england somewhere in 1944-45. His family threw most of his items away including medals, uniform, mission docs, ID tags, mission briefs, diaries etc. Fortunatley his neighbor (who is a good customer of mine) allocated all of the items and wants to get them to the right museum or organization. Where do I start?

PM me for phone number of neighbor

Tom Neely

earlscentral@yahoo.com

Wed May 20, 2009 3:27 pm

Just Sad! :( Bound to be some organization around out there that would be interested. It's a shame that the family isn't.

Wed May 20, 2009 3:30 pm

How about posting here?:
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=4
I'm sure there is a UK based museum that would love to display those items.

Wed May 20, 2009 3:46 pm

VINTAGE FLYING MUSEUM
FORT WORTH, TEXAS

VFM is the home of B-17G 44-8543A Chuckie, the world's only surviving radar-equipped World War 2 "pathfinder" aircraft. The focus of our Museum is on WW2, with heavy emphasis on the bomber campaign in the ETO, especially the B-17. We would love to have this WW2 vet's memorabilia to display in our exhibit hall! We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so all donations are fully tax-deductible.

Contact Chuckie Hospers (the nice lady for whom our ship was named). Here is her email address:

chuckie@VintageFlyingMuseum.org

Cheers,

Wed May 20, 2009 4:41 pm

I suggest the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, GA:

http://www.mightyeighth.org/

Zack

good save!

Wed May 20, 2009 6:00 pm

..thats why I have destroyed most of my Vietnam stuff...I have no kids etc so why just let it go in the dumpster on my exit. Some few small trinkets will be distributed to some very close firends 9if they are still alive!) but thats it.

Wed May 20, 2009 8:05 pm

k5dh wrote:VINTAGE FLYING MUSEUM
FORT WORTH, TEXAS

VFM is the home of B-17G 44-8543A Chuckie, the world's only surviving radar-equipped World War 2 "pathfinder" aircraft. The focus of our Museum is on WW2, with heavy emphasis on the bomber campaign in the ETO, especially the B-17. We would love to have this WW2 vet's memorabilia to display in our exhibit hall! We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so all donations are fully tax-deductible.

Contact Chuckie Hospers (the nice lady for whom our ship was named). Here is her email address:

chuckie@VintageFlyingMuseum.org

Cheers,


I didn't realize Chuckie was a radar pathfinder aircraft! My late Uncle Bill Henderson(Paris Ark.) had been a radar technician/operator and flew a few missions when he was part of the 482nd BG in England during the war. He went to work for RCA after the war, and I now have his ham radios- including a BC-348 RCA gave him when he retired...

Even more reason to head to Texas eventually...(Heading that way when the revolution comes, anyway)

Robbie

Thu May 21, 2009 7:33 am

Seems like the materials might show the unit number or a photo which would help identify the unit. Then you'll know which musuem would be most appropriate.

Thu May 21, 2009 4:09 pm

The Gulf Coast Wing takes ALL artifacts from ALL wars.
We will find a place for them. We will send them on to either West Houston Sqdn. (which has a nice small museum with some of my Dad's B17 items on display) or they might go to Midland, or to another unit with the appropriate Aircraft.

If anyone out there thinks THEIR war or service to their country didn't matter and no one is interested in their memorabilia please consider donating them to the Commemorative Air Force- Gulf Coast Wing and I guarantee we will find a home for them.

Don Price- Wing Leader
Commemorative Air Force- Gulf Coast Wing
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