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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krystal | 10/14/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | John went the extra mile for me ..... |
| Joanie | 10/03/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you John, for this great collection ..... |
| Jerome | 09/28/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | That was fast, no one else could ..... |
| Edward | 09/23/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | John thank you again for another outstanding ..... |
| Edward | 09/23/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | I want to thank you for your ..... |
Recent Answers from John Vargas
2009-10-13 WW II:
Hello Krystal, Let me say this, you did some good work! You did an excellent job, putting this information together! I did not see it mentioned, but you also need to put these items into the Shadow
2009-09-27 uknown badge:
Hello Jerome The badge that you have is officially called a Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly called a D.U.I. or D.I., from the Vietnam War. The D.I. that you have was for the 149th Aviation, and
2009-09-22 Help with my dads discharge:
Hello Edward, I am more than happy to help you with your Dads Army Discharge Papers. Here is a brief synopsis of what you sent me. He was a Volunteer in WWII…not a draftee, which is what the
2009-09-22 WWII pin:
Hello Joanie, The pin that you have is the Coat of Arms, or Badge for the Livermore Family (from the United Kingdom). You are correct that it is a Griffin. The F.W.S.S. stands for Fall, Winter, Spring
2009-08-22 WWII AEF 107th SMALL PIN OR BADGE:
Hello Mary, I enjoyed my vacation very much, thank you for asking. What you have is a Lapel Pin for someone who served with the 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, American Expeditionary
Answers by Expert:
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