Military History/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer both specific and general questions about U.S. Army, and Naval Aviation from 1913 to 1946, and WWII U.S. Airborne, to include key personalities, units, commands, and doctrines. My specialty is U.S. Aviation Badges (all Branches of the Service, from WWI to the Present), U.S. Airborne Badges (from WWII to the Present) as well as Aviation, Airborne, and Infantry Insignia (from WWI to the Present), both authorized and unauthorized, of the period. I have access to a vast personal library (as well as text from others...such as museums) of text, as well as actual badges and insignia that is specific to this period of history.

Experience in the area

I have over 20 years experience in collecting and cataloging WWI, and WWI U.S. Army Aviation, WWI, and WWII U.S. Naval Aviation, and U.S. Airborne Badges and Insignia. I was the former assistant curator at the Gen. Wm. C. Lee Airborne Museum, when I lived in NC. I have written histories of Wing Badges and Aviation Insignia for several manufacturing companies to include The Robbins Company, Bailey Banks and Biddle, and I am working on the histories for several other companies at the moment. I am a consultant on regular basis to many museums (including the U.S.A.F., U.S. Army, Private and Public Museums, as well as the Institute of Heraldry), and I am regularly called upon to authenticate U.S. Aviation Badges and Insignia (all Branches of the Service) for Fine Auctions Houses such as Bonham’s and Butterfields, and many others.

Organizations

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA-FL) Historian - I am not a Vietnam Veteran, or a Vietnam Era Helicopter Pilot, I was not old enough to serve in Vietnam, unless the U.S. needed a one-year-old, then I would have Proudly Served.

Education/Credentials

I am perusing an advanced degree in history (Ph.D.), with a concentration in WWI, and WWII U.S. Aviation. I spent several years on Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper. I am a Qualified and Rated Aviator.

What do you like about this subject?

The era, the glamour, the danger, the massive amounts of technical development in such a short period of time.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

As much as I possibly can, I have learned that there is still much to learn…

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Prior to WWI and during the early part of WW1, the Army Air Service was part of the Signal Corps Branch of the U.S. Army. They were officially classified as the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Contrary to popular belief, that there were only a handful of American Pilots in WWI, the true reality is that the U.S. Army alone trained more than 17,000 Pilots (officially called Aviators) in the U.S. alone, this number does not include the other Aviation Ratings…officially called Aeronautical Ratings, or Pilot's trained in Combat Theater...prior to the Armistice of 11/11/18.