Warbird Information Exchange

One of the guys on the Pietenpol list (hey, it *could* have been a warbird, it's old enough...) posted the following request, which intrigued me... if anyone could help, you guys can! Here's the post. John's not on this list but if you have anything specific please either email him directly or PM me and I'll relay it.

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From: <AMsafetyC@aol.com>

On or about March 3, 1942 army air corps bomber squadron was stationed in Panama. During which time the illegal nose are was being painted on those ships, mostly anonymously. One of the artist was a young fellow named Nick Maltese. A graduate of the students art league of New York.

Much if not all the nose art went unclaimed and unsigned as difficult as it may sound I am looking for some of is work?

Any ideas or assistance on how to find it is greatly appreciated

John

FYI Following is a bit of the family bio

Nick and Frank served in the same theater of operations in the same combat zone. Frank, who is now 87, was an instructor of aircraft trade classes at Chanute Field, Ill., and was trained for the 6th Air Force 365th Material Squadron & Heavy Bombardment Group. He arrived in Panama on March 3, 1942, after six days and nights, but after the first three of six ships made it through the canal, the last three ships were ordered to disembark immediately. These men, including Frank, instead lived isolated in a jungle outpost for 2 1¼2 years. He spent the majority of his time guarding the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, and was stationed at the Rio Hato Air Base in Panama. His responsibilities included defending the air field, maintaining bombers and fighters, tracking enemy submarines and rescuing downed aircraft. He also became a rear gunner by accident, trained to use a 30-caliber water-cooled gun by a commander who couldn't locate his men when an alert signal went off. After serving overseas, Frank was sent to the McClellan Air Base in California in June, 1944, in preparation for traveling to Guam. During a two-week furlough, he went home to New Brunswick to marry his high school sweetheart and his current wife of 62 years, Florence Nicholson. However, after the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945, the war ended and his service was over. The staff sergeant never returned overseas, but was instead honorably discharged in October of that year. He received the American Service, Good Conduct, New Jersey Distinguished Service and Victory medals. Nick, who is now 88, also enlisted in the Air Corps on Jan. 9, 1942. He arrived in Panama on the same day as Frank, and was also responsible for guarding the entrance to the Panama Canal on the Pacific side. He was an aide to the commanding general, Lt. General Hubert R. Harmon, on special assignments operating out of Airbrook Field in the Panama Canal Zone. He was the only enlisted person who was allowed to fly over the canal itself without being shot down. After his service of 2 1¼2 years, he too was sent back to the McClellan base on June 8, 1944, in preparation for the invasion of Japan. However, after the war ended, he was discharged on Oct. 16, 1945. He received the American Service, Good Conduct and Victory medals.