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Military History/Expert Profile
Expertise
I can answer both specific and general questions about US Army, and Naval Aviation from 1913 to 1946, and WWII US Airborne, to include key personalities, units, commands, and doctrines. My specialty is US Aviation Badges (all Branches of the Service, from WWI to the Present), US 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 library of text 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 US Army Aviation, WWI, and WWII US Naval Aviation, and US Airborne Badges and Insignia. I was the former assistant curator at the Gen. Wm. C. Lee Airborne Museum, when I lived in NC. I am a consultant on regular basis to many museums (including the USAF, and the Institute of Heraldry), and I am regularly called upon to authenticate US Aviation Badges and Insignia (all Branches of the Service) for Fine Auctions Houses such as Bonham’s and Butterfields, and many others.
Education/Credentials
I am perusing an advanced degree in history with a concentration in WWI, and WWII US Aviation (Ph.D.) I spent several years on Active Duty in the US Army as a Paratrooper.
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:
In WWI, the Army Air Service was part of the Signal Corps Branch of the Army. They were classified as the Aviation Section, Signal Corps US Army.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject
Contrary to popular belief, that there were only a handful of American Pilots in WWI, the reality is that the US Army alone trained more than 17,000 Pilots in WWI.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| michele | 11/20/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Dear Mr. Vargas, Thank you for finding ..... |
| Andrew | 11/11/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | That is it John! Thank you we ..... |
| Suzanne | 11/11/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you John! I did a lot ..... |
| Andrew | 11/11/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you John! That was fast, and ..... |
| Krystal | 10/14/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | John went the extra mile for me ..... |
Recent Answers from John Vargas
2009-11-19 Army Air Force Technician Badge from WWII:
Hello Michele, It is nice to hear that you are creating a Shadow Box for your Father. The best place to purchase an Army Air Force Technicians Badge is eBay. There are currently six (6) for
2009-11-15 Completed 25 Missions:
Hello George, The Turret Gunner in question should have received two medals for completing his 25th Mission. The first one would have been an Air Medal with a Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster. The Air
2009-11-11 Military dagger:
Hello Andrew, By the description you initially gave me...it sounds like a World War One "US Mark 1 Trench Knife", these were commonly made by Landers, Frary & Clark Company (“L.F. & C.”). Here are
2009-11-11 Bar and Cross:
Hello Suzanne, I am more than happy to assist you. The Cross and Bar is Officially Called a “Weapons Qualification Badge”. They come in three (3) classes, Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman.
2009-11-09 Military dagger:
Hello Andrew, “L.F. & C.” stands for Landers, Frary & Clark Company they were located in New Britan, Connecticut. They were in business as Landers, Frary & Clark Company from 1862 to 1965 (pre-1862
Answers by Expert:
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