{"product_id":"german-wwii-early-war-luftwaffe-pilot-badge-grouping-with-award-document-bsw-marked","title":"German WWII Luftwaffe Pilot Badge Grouping to Lt. Josef Reinardy, KIA Ace Recon Pilot | BSW Marked with Award Document","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"119\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eExceptional and highly personal German World War II \u003cstrong data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"233\"\u003eLuftwaffe Pilot’s Badge (Flugzeugführerabzeichen)\u003c\/strong\u003e grouping, consisting of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"253\" data-end=\"340\"\u003eoriginal early-war pilot badge together with its corresponding named award document\u003c\/strong\u003e, issued to \u003cstrong data-start=\"352\" data-end=\"370\"\u003eJosef Reinardy\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Luftwaffe reconnaissance pilot who would go on to become a decorated combat officer before being killed in action in 1944.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"1732\"\u003eIncluded is an early, high-quality \u003cstrong data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"771\"\u003eBSW-marked Luftwaffe Pilot’s Badge\u003c\/strong\u003e, struck in \u003cstrong data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"800\"\u003enickel-silver\u003c\/strong\u003e with strong surviving detail throughout the eagle and wreath. The eagle retains darker finish within the recessed details, giving the piece excellent visual depth, while the wreath shows attractive natural age toning. The reverse bears the desirable \u003cstrong data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1080\"\u003eBSW cloverleaf maker mark\u003c\/strong\u003e for \u003cstrong data-start=\"1085\" data-end=\"1116\"\u003eBrüder Schneider AG, Vienna\u003c\/strong\u003e, along with the correct barrel hinge, round wire pin, and question mark-style catch associated with this maker. The pin remains functional, with only slight bending consistent with period wear. Paired with the badge is the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1340\" data-end=\"1373\"\u003eoriginal named award document\u003c\/strong\u003e, dated Berlin, September 14, 1940, under Order No. 42366\/40, officially awarding the Pilot’s Badge to\u003cem\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"1484\" data-end=\"1512\"\u003eGefreiten Josef Reinardy\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e Signed on behalf of\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eThe Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief by Major General Karl Barlen, the document represents the very moment Reinardy formally entered the ranks of qualified Luftwaffe pilots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"2803\"\u003eWhat transforms this from a standard badge-and-paper grouping into a compelling historical artifact is Josef Reinardy’s documented wartime career that followed. Born July 25, 1919, Reinardy progressed from newly qualified airman to Leutnant serving with 4.(F) Staffel, Aufklärungsgruppe 14, a reconnaissance formation tasked with dangerous operational flying. Over the course of the war, he earned the Iron Cross 2nd Class, Iron Cross 1st Class, Front Flying Clasp for Reconnaissance in Bronze, Front Flying Clasp for Reconnaissance in Gold, the Luftwaffe Honor Goblet for Special Achievement in the Air War, and ultimately the prestigious German Cross in Gold. \u003cstrong\u003eHis wartime service came to an end on December 26, 1944, when his Junkers Ju 188D-2 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down near Tomaszowice, northwest of Kraków, Poland, resulting in his death at just 25 years old. \u003c\/strong\u003eThis grouping represents the earliest milestone in the career of a documented combat aviator whose service history can be traced through the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2805\" data-end=\"3174\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2805\" data-end=\"2819\"\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2819\" data-end=\"2822\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"2824\" data-end=\"2895\"\u003eOriginal Luftwaffe Pilot Badge paired with its named award document\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2895\" data-end=\"2898\"\u003e• Early \u003cstrong data-start=\"2906\" data-end=\"2942\"\u003eBSW \/ Brüder Schneider AG Vienna\u003c\/strong\u003e maker-marked badge\u003cbr data-start=\"2961\" data-end=\"2964\"\u003e• Named to \u003cstrong data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"2993\"\u003eJosef Reinardy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2993\" data-end=\"2996\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e• Award document dated \u003cstrong data-start=\"3019\" data-end=\"3049\"\u003eBerlin, September 14, 1940\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3049\" data-end=\"3052\"\u003e• Recipient later rose to \u003cstrong data-start=\"3078\" data-end=\"3090\"\u003eLeutnant\u003c\/strong\u003e and earned the \u003cstrong data-start=\"3106\" data-end=\"3130\"\u003eGerman Cross in Gold\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3130\" data-end=\"3133\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3174\"\u003eKilled in action, December 26, 1944\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3176\" data-end=\"3565\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3176\" data-end=\"3189\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3189\" data-end=\"3192\"\u003eThe badge presents beautifully with strong retained detail, attractive age toning, and correct intact hardware. The pin assembly remains functional, with slight period bending from prior wear. The accompanying award document shows expected age, handling wear, and storage wear consistent with wartime paper materials, while remaining highly displayable alongside the badge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3567\" data-end=\"3737\"\u003eA remarkable named Luftwaffe aviation grouping that captures both the beginning of a pilot’s wartime career and the story of the decorated combat officer he would become.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3739\" data-end=\"3889\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3739\" data-end=\"3762\"\u003e⚔️ Why Shop With Us\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3762\" data-end=\"3765\"\u003e• Over 2,500 5-star reviews online\u003cbr data-start=\"3799\" data-end=\"3802\"\u003e• Carefully researched and curated collectibles\u003cbr data-start=\"3849\" data-end=\"3852\"\u003e• Fast, secure, and reliable shipping\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collectors Crossroads ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43596904562762,"sku":"WIW3000 + WIW0679","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0272\/8519\/2778\/files\/German-WWII-Luftwaffe-Pilot-Badge-Grouping-to-Lt_-Josef-Reinardy-KIA-Ace-Recon-Pilot-BSW-Marked-with-Award-Document.jpg?v=1778860025","url":"https:\/\/collectorscrossroads.com\/products\/german-wwii-early-war-luftwaffe-pilot-badge-grouping-with-award-document-bsw-marked","provider":"Collectors Crossroads ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}