An original and comprehensive World War II U.S. Army Air Forces bomber pilot grouping belonging to Lieutenant Colonel John R. Frens, B-29 Navigator, 792nd Bomb Squadron, 468th Bomb Group, 20th Air Force. The grouping centers on his named bomber jacket bearing period-applied patches including “American Beauty” (his aircraft) and Bomb Group insignia. Also included are his uniform, flight gloves, scarf, officer’s visor cap, two navigational tools including an IFR plotter, an antique Japanese fan depicting Samurai battle scenes, and all supporting period photographs documenting his service.
John R. Frens joined the Army Air Corps at age 18 in November 1942 and served from 1942–1945. He arrived at an air base near Calcutta in November 1944 and flew his first combat missions as a “Hump pilot,” transporting vital supplies over the Himalayas. Within months, his unit was transferred to Western China, conducting long-range B-29 bombing missions against targets in Burma, Thailand, Singapore, and Bangkok. On one photo-identification mission operating out of China, Frens’ crew was attacked by Japanese Zero fighters; their aircraft sustained only minor damage and the crew escaped injury.
In Spring 1945, Frens was transferred to Tinian in the Mariana Islands, where he participated in strategic firebombing raids against the Japanese home islands. On June 5, 1945, his B-29, the “American Beauty,” was struck by flak over Kobe, Japan, and crash-landed on Iwo Jima without loss of life. For his gallantry, Frens was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew nearly 30 combat missions over Japan, continuing operations until just days after the second atomic bomb was dropped. Following the war, he remained in the Air Force, ultimately attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serving into the 1970s.
A historically significant and complete World War II B-29 navigator combat grouping, directly attributed and well-documented, representing service in the China-Burma-India theater and the strategic bombing campaign against Japan. An exceptional offering for advanced collectors of WWII USAAF aviation history and Pacific Theater artifacts.
Specifications
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Nationality: United States
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Period: WW2
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Condition: Good. For more photos or information feel free to reach out to Collectors Crossroads directly.
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