{"product_id":"lee-palmert-locke-easton-franklin-wimer-509th-signed-combat-duty-doc-bas-a14647","title":"Lee Palmert Locke Easton Franklin Wimer 509th Signed Combat Duty Doc BAS A14647","description":"Lee Palmert Locke Easton Franklin Wimer 509th Signed Combat Duty Doc BAS A14647\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 Flight Engineer William T. Hulse, subsequently hand-signed and inscribed by Lee Palmert, Locke Easton, and Franklin B. Wimer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe record identifies William T. Hulse as a 2nd Lieutenant and Flight Engineer assigned to the 509th Composite Group, 393rd Bombardment Squadron, and identifies his crew as Crew A-3.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf particular historical interest, the document records combat activity during the final days preceding the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, including:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAugust 3, 1945 - Abort - 6:25 flying hours\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAugust 4, 1945 - Nagoya - 12:10 combat flying hours\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe August 4 Nagoya mission occurred just two days before the August 6, 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, placing this record within an extraordinarily significant period in the operational history of the 509th Composite Group.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis first-generation copy was subsequently signed and inscribed in blue ink by three veterans:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLee Palmert - \"2nd Officer\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLocke Easton - \"Pilot\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFranklin B. Wimer - \"Nav.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe combination of a 509th Composite Group combat record, Crew A-3 identification, August 1945 combat activity, three veteran signatures and inscriptions, and Beckett Authentication Services authentication makes this an outstanding piece of World War II aviation and atomic bomb-era history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease note that the underlying document is a first-generation copy of the original wartime combat record and is not being represented as the original World War II document. The three veterans 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 William T. Hulse's original Record of Combat Duty\u003cbr\u003e• Hulse identified as Flight Engineer\u003cbr\u003e• 509th Composite Group\u003cbr\u003e• 393rd Bombardment Squadron\u003cbr\u003e• Crew A-3\u003cbr\u003e• Record dated during August 1945\u003cbr\u003e• August 3, 1945 - Abort\u003cbr\u003e• August 4, 1945 - Nagoya combat mission\u003cbr\u003e• Nagoya mission occurred just two days before Hiroshima\u003cbr\u003e• Subsequently hand-signed by Lee Palmert\u003cbr\u003e• Palmert inscribed \"2nd Officer\"\u003cbr\u003e• Subsequently hand-signed by Locke Easton\u003cbr\u003e• Easton inscribed \"Pilot\"\u003cbr\u003e• Subsequently hand-signed by Franklin B. Wimer\u003cbr\u003e• Wimer inscribed \"Nav.\"\u003cbr\u003e• Authenticated by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003cbr\u003e• Beckett Certification #A14647\u003cbr\u003e• Includes Beckett Authentication Services Letter of Authenticity (LOA)\u003cbr\u003e• Authentic hand-signed autographs and inscriptions\u003cbr\u003e• Not autopen, facsimile, or printed signatures\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAuthentication\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe signatures and inscriptions of Lee Palmert, Locke Easton, and Franklin B. Wimer 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\u003eBecause this piece contains three authenticated signatures, it is accompanied by its corresponding Beckett Authentication Services Letter of Authenticity (LOA).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBAS Certification #A14647\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\u003eThis Record of Combat Duty identifies William T. Hulse as a 2nd Lieutenant assigned to the 509th Composite Group's 393rd Bombardment Squadron.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis position is listed as Flight Engineer, and his crew is identified as Crew A-3.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe surviving entries document two flights during the first days of August 1945.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn August 3, the record notes an \"Abort\" with 6 hours and 25 minutes of flying time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn August 4, 1945, it records a mission against Nagoya, Japan, totaling 12 hours and 10 minutes of combat flying time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe record shows Hulse with a cumulative total of approximately 57 hours of combat flying time and four crew-credit sorties following the Nagoya mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe timing is particularly compelling. The Nagoya entry dates to only two days before the Enola Gay departed Tinian for Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree Veteran Signatures\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first-generation copy was subsequently signed and inscribed by three veterans:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Lee Palmert - \"2nd Officer\"\u003cbr\u003e• Locke Easton - \"Pilot\"\u003cbr\u003e• Franklin B. Wimer - \"Nav.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRather than simply adding their names, the signers included handwritten occupational inscriptions identifying their respective aircrew roles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese veteran-written inscriptions provide additional historical context and give the piece significantly greater character than a standard autograph display.\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 group trained at Wendover Field, Utah, before deploying to the Mariana Islands and operating from Tinian.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts crews operated specially configured B-29 Superfortress aircraft and underwent extensive specialized training for their highly classified mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay, piloted by Paul Tibbets, carried the atomic bomb Little Boy to Hiroshima.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree days later, on August 9, 1945, Bockscar carried the second atomic bomb mission to Nagasaki.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 509th Composite Group consequently occupies a unique position in World War II, aviation, Manhattan Project, and nuclear history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA combat record documenting a 509th mission on August 4, 1945 provides a particularly compelling connection to the unit during the immediate period preceding its most historic operation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy This Piece Is Special\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis piece combines several highly desirable elements:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• 509th Composite Group Record of Combat Duty\u003cbr\u003e• 393rd Bombardment Squadron\u003cbr\u003e• Crew A-3\u003cbr\u003e• William T. Hulse - Flight Engineer\u003cbr\u003e• August 4, 1945 Nagoya combat mission\u003cbr\u003e• Mission occurring just two days before Hiroshima\u003cbr\u003e• Lee Palmert autograph and inscription\u003cbr\u003e• Locke Easton autograph and inscription\u003cbr\u003e• Franklin B. Wimer autograph and inscription\u003cbr\u003e• Three different aircrew-role inscriptions\u003cbr\u003e• World War II Pacific Theater history\u003cbr\u003e• Atomic bomb-era aviation history\u003cbr\u003e• First-generation copy of an original wartime combat record\u003cbr\u003e• Beckett Authentication Services Letter of Authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost importantly, the signatures appear on a first-generation copy of an actual 509th Composite Group combat record dating from the immediate period preceding the Hiroshima mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat historical context gives the piece considerably greater significance than a standard multi-signed photograph or modern commemorative item.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollecting 509th Composite Group 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• B-29 Superfortress\u003cbr\u003e• Enola Gay\u003cbr\u003e• Hiroshima\u003cbr\u003e• Bockscar\u003cbr\u003e• Nagasaki\u003cbr\u003e• The Great Artiste\u003cbr\u003e• Tinian\u003cbr\u003e• Wendover Field\u003cbr\u003e• Manhattan Project\u003cbr\u003e• Atomic bomb missions\u003cbr\u003e• Signed combat and flight records\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDocuments dating from July and August 1945 have particular historical appeal because they provide direct context for the unit's operations during the final weeks of World War II.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDisplay Appeal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis piece offers excellent display appeal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe prominent RECORD OF COMBAT DUTY heading, 509th Group and 393rd Squadron identification, Crew A-3 designation, August 4 Nagoya combat entry, and three large blue-ink veteran signatures and inscriptions immediately communicate its historical significance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt would make an outstanding addition to a collection focused on the 509th Composite Group, World War II aviation, B-29 history, Hiroshima, Manhattan Project, atomic bomb history, 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":54661633212640,"sku":"A14647","price":98.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0823\/0178\/0192\/files\/56345ab2-640f-5d06-800a-efbe1a58aea2.webp?v=1788454992","url":"https:\/\/alwaysautographed.com\/products\/lee-palmert-locke-easton-franklin-wimer-509th-signed-combat-duty-doc-bas-a14647","provider":"Always Autographed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}