Description:

'CATERPILLAR CLUB' PIN AND MEMBERSHIP CARD
Rare pair of items belonging to a lucky member of the 'Caterpillar Club', whose members solely included those who were forced to bale out from a crippled airplane in order to survive. Included is a finely crafted gold 'caterpillar' lapel pin with red jeweled eyes, about 7/8 in. long with a pin back, some text on verso illegible due to old glue or label obscuring to it. Also present is the matching club membership card issued to 'S/Sgt. Frank L. Glitchell, Jr.' who, it is noted: is a member of the CTERPILLAR CLUB having saved his life by parachute' The card, signed by Glitchell, bears a typed note: 'Date of Jump: 7-19-44' and bears images of aircraft, parachutes, and the logo of the Irvin Air Chute Company. Laminated. Two pieces. FRANK L. GITCHELL, JR. (1918-1986) served as a Technical Sergeant in the Army Air Corps. On July 19, 1944 many raids were conducted over Germany. If Gitchell served on a B-17, as is most likely the case, chances are he was aboard one of ten shot down over Schweinfurt, or a survivor of a mid-air collision over Saarbrucken.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000