Description:

U.S.S. YORKTOWN TORPEDO SQUADRON 88 GROUPING OF TBM AVENGER GUNNER RALPH L. MORLAN
"GOT TWO DIRECT HITS ON CRUISER..." An extraordinary lot of material concerning the military service of Navy air gunner Ralph Leroy Morlan who was attached to Squadron 88 ("The Tormentors"), TBM Avengers which flew bombing raids from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN late in the war. These raids were aimed directly at the Japanese homeland, destroying airfields, industrial targets, transport centers, and military vessels. This very substantial and comprehensive lot includes Morlan''s "Aviator''s Flight Log Book" with about 20pp. filled-out showing Morlan''s training and his combat experiences. The log, which bears his name stamped on the cover, begins in September, 1944 with typical training flights with his pilot "Robinson", and occasionally a third crewman. These continue stateside and from Pacific-based carriers until July 10, 1945 when Morlan undertakes his first mission. His notes on nine of the missions which continue until the end of the war are marked with small Japanese flags and describe his targets and actions taken flying with pilot "Stanton". Comments include: "...Bombed bridge on coast & sank a DD & strafed...Bombed and strafed Tsugaru...Bombed BB and cruiser. Got two direct hits on cruiser. Stanton wounded...hit RR twice...got RR station afire...Hit Koriyama airfield, bombed & strafed planes & hangars...Went on strike this morning but war ended while en route...Dropped bombs in drink...". Also included are 26 aerial reconnaissance photos used to prepare for these and other carrier-based attacks. The photos, all about 10" x 10", show airfields and protective aircraft bunkers, harbors, industrial targets, warships at berth and at anchor (some named), and so on. Many of the photos name targets, and some show the photos originated from planes flying from the YORKTOWN. Four "gun barrel" photos show the Aug. 10 attack on Iwaki airfield, and there are four approach and target maps typically taken aboard the aircraft for in-flight reference. Included also is a typescript of Morlan''s diary which ties directly to his flight log entries and really brings them to life. Morlan''s impressive G-1 brown leather flight jacket is also present. It sports the large squadron patch reading: "The Tormentors" and depicting an aviator riding a flying torpedo while clutching bombs in one hand and "aces and eights" in another. Morlan''s name is printed in gold ink on a rectanglar chest patch on the opposite side of the garment. A cloth China-Burma-India campaign patch is affixed to the left shoulder. The brown leather is supple and completely intact, though the cloth at sleeve ends and the bottom of the jacket is a bit ragged. Also included is Morlan''s Navy tropical flight helmet with speakers and electronic cables, his AN6530 flying goggles in their original box, his Navy dress visor cap named to him, and his long, white silk flying scarf stamped "U.S.N." showing clear signs of use. Also present in this grouping are numerous other personal items including the flyer''s wartime named Bausch & Lomb aviator''s sunglasses, wrist-worn survival compass, dog tag with chain and locker key, authorization to wear named medals including the Air Medal, Naval Aviation swimming test training cards, liberty cards, night vision training, etc., "Domain of the Golden Dragon" award for his first time crossing the equator, given aboard the YORKTOWN, 12 pieces of occupation currency, and modern reproductions of photos of the flyer and fellow members and supprot crew of Squadron 88. This is one of the most complete flyer''s grouping''s we''ve seen, vivid and impressive.

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September 13, 2017 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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