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ARTIFACT:
Korean War era 1950's United States Navy Pilot grouping of Lieutenant Commander Louis P. Racy. The grouping includes two beautiful, enameled FAGU (Fleet Air Gunnery Unit) cufflinks that read: "FLEET AIR GUNNERY UNIT" the predecessor to the current TOPGUN (The United States Navy Fighter Weapons School) Program, which was in existence form the early 1950's until 1960. There are two patches in the grouping, one is an unidentified patch that depicts a tiger's head and is possible a Korean War USN Fighter Squadron or flight jacket patch. The second patch is for U.S.S. America and shows a shield in the center with the image of a coiled rattlesnake and two arrowheads and reads: "UNITED STATES SHIP AMERICA DON'T TREAD ON ME". The grouping also includes four photographs, two of aircraft, which appear to be McDonnell F2H Banshees, one of Lieutenant Commander Louis P. Racy, and one a group shot from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Looking at Lt. Cmdr. Racy's ribbon bar, it appears he was in the Navy in WWII, apparently as an enlisted man, serving in China just post war, and then went to the USNA after the war, possibly graduating in 1950, at which time he went on to Aviation training. I found info online for him lining up for Flight Training in 1950 in that year's "Lucky Bag" Annapolis/USNA Yearbook. There is also a handwritten piece of paper that chronicles Lt. Cmdr. Racy's appointments during his time in the service.
VINTAGE:
Circa Korean War.
SIZE:
All items are various sizes: Tiger patch: 4-3/4" in diameter; U.S.S. America patch: 5" x 4-1/2"; Photos: 2@ 5" x 4"; 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"; 6-1/2" x 4-5/8"; Cufflinks: 7/8" in diameter.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Enameled nickel-plated brass cufflinks; two fully-embroidered patches and one embroidered on canvas; original photographs; paper.
ATTACHMENT:
Cufflink attachments to go through holes.
MARKINGS:
Photo of Lieut. Commander Racy reads on reverse: HAC-1892-(L)-7-62 USNAAS CHASE FIELD 7-17-62 ROSTER PORTRAIT LCDR. LOUIS P. RACY, USN 533115/1310 "OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY PHOTOGRAPH NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNLESS OFFICIALLY RELEASED."; group photo reads on reverse: USS TICONDEROGA 1953 C/O JAMES B. CAIN - ACE 1ST ROW CENTER LP RACY END.
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a United States Navy groupings collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VBJJX99 LDGEX 6/10 PSCFJX1/16 VAX16 SLCGEX1/16 SCJJX3/16
CONDITION:
8- (Very Fine-Excellent): Items are in various conditions but overall are excellent.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
