{"product_id":"hugh-ferguson-signed-great-artiste-nagasaki-mission-509th-pilot-bas-d87790","title":"Hugh Ferguson Signed Great Artiste Nagasaki Mission 509th Pilot BAS D87790","description":"Hugh Ferguson Signed Great Artiste Nagasaki Mission 509th Pilot BAS D87790\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eItem Description\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOffered is an exceptional first-generation copy of the original World War II Record of Combat Duty for 509th Composite Group pilot Hugh C. Ferguson, documenting his combat activity including Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis historically significant first-generation copy was subsequently personally hand-signed and extensively inscribed by Hugh C. Ferguson, who added:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"PILOT - CREW C-13\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eand\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"FLEW 'THE GREAT ARTISTE' NAGASAKI MISSION 8\/9\/45\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe inscription creates an extraordinary firsthand connection between Ferguson, The Great Artiste, and the historic atomic bombing mission against Nagasaki.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe record itself identifies Ferguson as a 2nd Lieutenant and Pilot with the 509th Composite Group, 393rd Squadron, assigned to Crew C-13.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost significantly, Ferguson's combat record contains the entry 8\/9\/45 - Nagasaki, directly corresponding with his handwritten Nagasaki mission inscription.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe combination of the 509th Composite Group identification, Nagasaki combat entry, The Great Artiste inscription, Ferguson's pilot designation, Crew C-13 association, and Beckett Authentication Services authentication makes this an exceptional piece of World War II, atomic bomb, and military aviation memorabilia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease note that the underlying document is a first-generation copy of the original wartime record and is not being represented as the original World War II document. Hugh Ferguson subsequently hand-signed and inscribed this first-generation copy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully as they are considered part of the item description.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eImportant Information\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• First-generation copy of Hugh C. Ferguson's original Record of Combat Duty\u003cbr\u003e• Subsequently personally hand-signed and inscribed by Hugh C. Ferguson\u003cbr\u003e• Inscribed \"PILOT - CREW C-13\"\u003cbr\u003e• Inscribed \"FLEW 'THE GREAT ARTISTE' NAGASAKI MISSION 8\/9\/45\"\u003cbr\u003e• Ferguson identified on the record as Pilot\u003cbr\u003e• 509th Composite Group\u003cbr\u003e• 393rd Squadron\u003cbr\u003e• Crew No. C-13\u003cbr\u003e• Records Nagasaki - August 9, 1945\u003cbr\u003e• Also records an August 14, 1945 mission to Yonago\u003cbr\u003e• Ferguson's Air Medal recorded on the document\u003cbr\u003e• Authenticated by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003cbr\u003e• Beckett Certification #D87790\u003cbr\u003e• Includes Beckett Authentication Services Certificate of Authenticity (COA)\u003cbr\u003e• Authentic hand-signed autograph and inscriptions\u003cbr\u003e• Not an autopen, facsimile, or printed signature\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAuthentication\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Hugh C. Ferguson signature and inscriptions have been professionally authenticated by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS), one of the leading third-party autograph authentication companies in the collectibles industry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe piece includes its corresponding Beckett Authentication Services Certificate of Authenticity (COA).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBAS Certification #D87790\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Beckett authentication sticker is affixed to the document as shown in the photographs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout the Document\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Record of Combat Duty identifies Hugh C. Ferguson as a 2nd Lieutenant and Pilot assigned to the 509th Composite Group, 393rd Squadron.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis crew is identified as Crew C-13.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe document records Ferguson's combat flying activity during the final days of World War II and provides a remarkable connection to the operations of the 509th Composite Group.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost importantly, the first visible combat entry records:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e8\/9\/45 - Nagasaki\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe record lists 16:30 combat flying hours for the August 9 mission and provides Ferguson with one crew credit sortie.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA second entry records an August 14, 1945 mission to Yonago.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe document also records Ferguson as having received the Air Medal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFerguson subsequently signed this first-generation copy in blue ink and added the important inscriptions \"PILOT - CREW C-13\" and \"FLEW 'THE GREAT ARTISTE' NAGASAKI MISSION 8\/9\/45.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe inscriptions transform the piece from simply an authenticated veteran autograph into a personally annotated record directly connecting Ferguson with one of the most historically significant aviation missions of World War II.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHugh Ferguson \u0026amp; The Great Artiste\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHugh C. Ferguson served as a pilot with the 509th Composite Group's 393rd Squadron.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn the August 9, 1945 Nagasaki atomic bomb mission, Ferguson flew The Great Artiste, the B-29 normally assigned to Charles Sweeney's crew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor the Nagasaki mission, Bockscar carried the atomic bomb while The Great Artiste participated as an instrumentation and observation aircraft.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFerguson's handwritten statement - \"FLEW 'THE GREAT ARTISTE' NAGASAKI MISSION 8\/9\/45\" - therefore provides an unusually direct personal connection to the aircraft and historic mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fact that Ferguson placed this inscription on a first-generation copy of his own Record of Combat Duty, which itself records Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, gives the autograph exceptional historical context.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout the 509th Composite Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 509th Composite Group was the specialized United States Army Air Forces organization created to conduct atomic bombing operations during World War II.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe unit trained at Wendover Field, Utah, before deploying to the Mariana Islands and operating from Tinian.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn August 6, 1945, the 509th carried out the atomic bombing mission against Hiroshima.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree days later, on August 9, 1945, the group conducted the second atomic bombing mission against Nagasaki.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 509th Composite Group consequently occupies a unique position in military, aviation, scientific, and nuclear history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVeteran-signed records associated with specific aircraft, crews, and missions provide collectors with tangible connections to the individuals who participated in these historic operations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy This Piece Is Special\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis piece brings together an exceptional combination of historically significant elements:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Hugh C. Ferguson autograph\u003cbr\u003e• \"FLEW 'THE GREAT ARTISTE' NAGASAKI MISSION 8\/9\/45\" inscription\u003cbr\u003e• \"PILOT - CREW C-13\" inscription\u003cbr\u003e• The Great Artiste\u003cbr\u003e• Nagasaki - August 9, 1945\u003cbr\u003e• 509th Composite Group\u003cbr\u003e• 393rd Squadron\u003cbr\u003e• Atomic bomb history\u003cbr\u003e• Air Medal recipient\u003cbr\u003e• Pacific Theater aviation history\u003cbr\u003e• First-generation copy of Ferguson's combat record\u003cbr\u003e• Beckett Authentication Services authentication\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost importantly, Ferguson did not simply sign an unrelated photograph or commemorative piece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe personally signed and annotated a first-generation copy of his own wartime combat record, explicitly identifying himself as Pilot - Crew C-13 and stating that he flew The Great Artiste on the Nagasaki mission of August 9, 1945.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe combat record itself independently displays 8\/9\/45 - Nagasaki, creating tremendous historical and display appeal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollecting 509th Composite Group \u0026amp; Atomic Bomb Memorabilia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaterial associated with the 509th Composite Group represents one of the most historically significant areas of World War II aviation collecting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollectors frequently pursue material connected with:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• 509th Composite Group veterans\u003cbr\u003e• 393rd Bombardment Squadron\u003cbr\u003e• The Great Artiste\u003cbr\u003e• Bockscar\u003cbr\u003e• Enola Gay\u003cbr\u003e• Hiroshima\u003cbr\u003e• Nagasaki\u003cbr\u003e• Tinian\u003cbr\u003e• Wendover Field\u003cbr\u003e• Manhattan Project\u003cbr\u003e• Atomic bomb missions\u003cbr\u003e• Signed crew and combat records\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePieces featuring mission-specific inscriptions are especially compelling because they preserve the veteran's own identification of his participation in a historic event.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDisplay Appeal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis piece offers outstanding display appeal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe prominent RECORD OF COMBAT DUTY heading, 509th group and 393rd Squadron identification, Crew C-13designation, Ferguson's pilot position, clearly visible 8\/9\/45 NAGASAKI entry, and large blue-ink signature and inscriptions immediately communicate its historical significance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe handwritten \"FLEW 'THE GREAT ARTISTE' NAGASAKI MISSION 8\/9\/45\" inscription is particularly striking and makes this an exceptional display piece for a collection focused on the 509th Composite Group, The Great Artiste, Nagasaki, atomic bomb history, World War II aviation, or authenticated veteran autographs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShipping\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Ships within one business day of cleared payment\u003cbr\u003e• Professionally packaged for safe delivery\u003cbr\u003e• Tracking included\u003cbr\u003e• Fully insured shipment\u003cbr\u003e• Signature confirmation may be required\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout PS Collectibles\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePS Collectibles specializes in authentic aviation, military, historical, sports, entertainment, space, and music memorabilia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePreserve History. Share Stories. Deliver Authenticity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBe sure to visit our store for additional authenticated military autographs, World War II memorabilia, historical documents, and investment-quality collectibles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePS Collectibles\u003cbr\u003eA Division of When It Was A Game, Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e_gsrx_vers_1736 (GS 9.9.5 (1736))","brand":"Always Autographed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54661632065760,"sku":"D87790","price":76.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0823\/0178\/0192\/files\/8b510518-439c-557f-bce8-ebb9ccbcb626.webp?v=1788454970","url":"https:\/\/alwaysautographed.com\/products\/hugh-ferguson-signed-great-artiste-nagasaki-mission-509th-pilot-bas-d87790","provider":"Always Autographed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}