Description:

CLAIRE CHENNAULT AND AN ORIGINAL FLYING TIGER MEMBER'S GROUPING
CLAIRE CHENNAULT (1890 - 1958) American Army aviator who established the volunteer-staffed Flying Tigers to fight the Japanese invasion of China. He has also been (unofficially) credited with over 40 'kills'. Very rare and important grouping of items signed by Flying Tigers commander CLAIRE CHENNAULT and members of the original Flying Tigers, some of whom would be killed during the war or very soon thereafter. The grouping emanates from the estate of Flying Tigers pilot RALPH GUNVORDAHL (1919-1943) of Burke, SD who served under Chennault from just after the outbreak of war until April, 1942 attacking Japanese bomber formations and ground targets. He returned to the U.S. and was employed as a test pilot for the Eastern Division of General Motors until he was killed in an aircraft accident while flight testing a new Navy plane. Included is a Flying Tigers identification card issued to Gunvordahl, 2.5 x 3.25 in., [China, ca. 1941]. Gunvordahl is shown in a portrait photograph to which he adds his signature. Typed notice that he is a member of the 'First American Volunteer Group' follows, with an original signature of CLAIRE CHENNAULT at bottom. The piece is slightly trimmed at the edges, else very good. Also present is a note of the same size with Chinese characters mentioning the Chinese National Air Force and with an official Nationalist stamp, the writing untranslated. Also present is a period snapshot of Gunvordahl in uniform. Of great interest is a Series 1938 U.S. $1.00 bill that belonged to Gunvordahl and annotated 'SHORT SNORTER Gunner Sept. 24, 1941'. It bears the signatures of about 28 men, most original pilots or ground crew members with the Flying Tigers. Among those we were able to identify is: DICK ROSSI, an ace with 6.25 kills; ED OVEREND, an ace with 8.5 kills by war's end; Flight Leader JOHN S. CROFT; DON BERNSDORF; JOHN HENNESSY, Chennault's personal pilot; EINAR 'MICKEY' MICKELSON, MIA Feb. 20, 1944; Lt. Col. WILLIAM REED, KIA Dec. 19, 1944; ALBERT F. MOE, 4th Marines and O.S.S.; 'M. HAMMERSTAD'; 'STANLEY BLACKHORN'; GEORGE BRICE, Crew Chief; 'CHARLES BUTLER', 'PAT HENSEN'; and others illegible or unknown. Another $1.00 bill, Series 1935, is annotated 'ALBUQUERQUE 4/11/43' and bears eight signatures, not identified, most likely Gunvordahl's fellow test pilots. A third note is dated after Gunvordahl's death and bears three indistinguishable signatures. Finally, there are 11 banknotes from various countries, including a few from China, and a hometown newspaper clipping relaying a telegram received from Gundervahl: 'Got one [kill] the first day and five Christmas...' An extraordinary lot with some virtually unobtainable items within.

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November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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