Military History/Expert Profile

John Vargas

U.S.
On Vacation
returns 03/01/2012
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.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    P = Politeness
UserDateKCPComments
LB12/20/11101010Dear John, Thank you so much again .....
JR07/27/11101010Thank you, that was more information than .....
David10/26/10101010Mr. Vargas, Thank You Very Much. David .....
Miki10/25/10101010Thank you, that was awesome information.
Dave10/20/10101010Follow up via email was perfect.

Recent Answers from John Vargas

2011-12-18 Medals and badges:

Hello LB:    This is what is on this board.    1.      China Burma India Patch http://www.angelfire.com/md2/patches/variations/var2cbi.html http://cbi-theater.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater/insignia/insignia

2010-10-29 my father in the 101st airborne:

Hello Chris,     I did a Google search for John Granias and 101st Airborne WWII.  This is all I could find.     http://tinyurl.com/26umxqf     Without actually knowing what your Father's Glider Unit was

2010-10-25 War Animals:

Hello David,    The mostly widely used animal used in warfare thought the history of mankind has been the War Horse, which is followed a close second by the War Dog.    Here is the History of Military

2010-10-21 201 Mexican Squadron MEAF ww ll:

Hello Franciso,    The 201st Air Fighter Squadron nicknamed “Aztec Eagles” (Escuadrón Aéreo de Pelea 201), was attached to the 58th Fighter Group, which was under the control of the 5th Army Air Force

2010-10-19 AAF insignia question:

Hello Dave,    After reviewing the your Fathers Separation Papers, I have determined that he was part of the 15th Army Air Force, as the Campaigns that your Father received credit for, where Campaigns

 

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