The Legion of Merit, Second World War D.F.C., Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Air Medal group of sixteen attributed to Colonel G. A. McConnell, United States Army Air Corps and United States Air Force

United States of America, Legion of Merit, Chevalier’s breast badge, gilt and enamel; Distinguished Flying Cross, the reverse impressed, ‘Glenn A. McConnell, 1st Lt. 14th A.A.F., China 1944’; Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Air Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Prisoner of War Medal; Air Force Good Conduct Medal, with Second Award Bar; American Defence Service medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, with one gilt and one bronze star riband fitments; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Victory Medal 1945; National Defence Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, with two gilt star riband fitments, together with tunic ribands for Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Air Force Longevity Service Award, good very fine and better (18) £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection.

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D.F.C. official order dated 22 September 1943:

‘For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight in the China, Burma, India theatre from 21 March 1943 to 30 December 1943, in which time these heavy bombardment crew members have participated in more than 200 hours sustained hours of operations. They have flown through adverse weather and over mountainous and poorly mapped territory. Enemy fire was expected and frequently encountered. On 23-24 December 1943, these officers and enlisted men took part in two missions over a heavily defended city in China. Anti-aircraft fire was heavy over the target area and the planes were attacked by more than 50 Japanese interceptors while on the bombing run. Despite the determined opposition, the bombs were dropped accurately both days and great damage inflicted to the enemy installations. The achievements of these aerial combat crew members are in keeping with the fine traditions of the Army Air Forces.’

Bronze Star official order dated 4 February 1944.

Purple Heart official order dated 22 September 1943.

Air Medal official order dated 22 September 1943:

‘For meritorious accomplishments between 27 November 1943 and 29 February 1944 when they took part in no less than 100 sustained hours of aerial flight against the enemy. Flying in the China, India, Burma theatre, these heavy bombers’ aerial crews often encountered enemy fire and faced additional handicaps of adverse weather and mountainous and inadequately mapped terrain. Two missions over an important enemy stronghold in China on 23-24 December 1943 subjected them to heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire and attack by more than 50 enemy fighters. Despite this determined opposition they dropped their bombs successfully into the targets. The devotion to duty and individual bravery displayed by these officers and enlisted men are in accordance with the Army Air Forces’ fine traditions.’

Oak Leaf Cluster to Air Medal:

‘Major Glenn A. McConnell distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight from February 1952 to February 1957. As one of the pioneer combat aircraft commanders in Strategic Air Command’s B-47 programme, Major McConnell has completed more than 2200 hours of accident free flying time in the B-47 over a large part of the world. He extensively participated in many of the first operational suitability tests, under all kinds of conditions, to develop the B-47 aircraft as a strategic bomber. As Aircraft Commander of the first Strategic Air Command B-47 aircraft to establish the long-range flight records of 12,000 and 17,000 miles, Major McConnell flew 24.45 hours on 16-17 June 1954, and 35.10 hours on 14-15 July 1954. Major McConnell’s distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.’

Glenn A. McConnell was from Hollywood, California; accompanying copy service records confirm that he was posted “missing” on operations in the Far East on 18 April 1944.

Sold with Command Pilot’s Wings, the reverse stamped ‘Josten Sterling’; Navigator’s Wings, the reverse embossed ‘Sterling’; Navigator of Air Observer Wings, the reverse embossed ‘N. S. Meyer Inc., New York’; Air Force Officer’s cap badge, gilt, also by N. S. Meyer Inc., New York; a 14th Air Force cloth badge and an enamelled lapel badge.