Antiques Etc

07/06/2026

Been a min. Here are some photos I came across today in a box.

06/18/2026

04/13/2026

Easter greetings from Ralph.
1943

03/23/2026

03/23/2026

🪖 Identified Soldier

Paul N. Tinello
• Born: 1911 (Troy, New York)
• WWII Service: 1942–1945
• Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAF)

✈️ Unit & Role
• Role: Tail Gunner on B-24 Liberator bombers
• Served under Gen. Claire Chennault
• Part of operations commonly associated with the Flying Tigers / 14th Air Force in the China–Burma–India (CBI) Theater

👉 That means:
He was NOT infantry (VII Corps type)
He was an aircrew combat veteran in the Pacific theater

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🎖️ Combat History / Campaigns

From confirmed records:
• Flew 71 combat missions
• Operated in:
• China
• Burma
• India
• Missions included flights over “The Hump” (dangerous Himalayan supply route) 

👉 This was one of the most dangerous air theaters in WWII
(high loss rates, extreme weather, long missions)

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🏅 Decorations

He was awarded:
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Air Medal (with cluster)
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (with Bronze Star)
• American Theater Ribbon
• Good Conduct Medal 

👉 That’s a highly decorated combat airman

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⚔️ What he actually did (real talk)

As a tail gunner on a B-24, he:
• Defended the bomber from enemy fighters
• Sat in the rear turret (most exposed position)
• Had one of the highest casualty rates on the aircraft

This isn’t just a random GI tag:

👉 It belonged to a:
• Combat aircrew member
• 71-mission veteran
• Decorated flyer in the CBI theater

That’s a much stronger story than average WWII tags

03/23/2026

West Point

03/23/2026

Nice lot for sale

03/15/2026

Photo album find.

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 1923 Barling Bomber XNBL-1 Triplane Photo Wright Field US Army Aviation at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

03/13/2026

West Virginia Civil Air Patrol

Key Insignia & Badges

Pilot Wings

The wings with the CAP triangle in the center are:

Civil Air Patrol Pilot Wings

This indicates the member was a qualified CAP pilot, not just a ground member.

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Parachutist Badge

The small badge above the wings with a parachute is a CAP Parachutist Badge.

This means the member completed CAP parachute training / airborne operations, which was sometimes tied to search-and-rescue or cadet training activities.

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Blue Shield with Parachute

The hanging badge below the ribbons appears to be a CAP Airborne or parachute specialty insignia, reinforcing the airborne qualification.

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Ribbons (Service Awards)

From what can be seen, these appear to include combinations such as:

Typical CAP ribbons visible here likely include:

• CAP Commander’s Commendation
• CAP Achievement Award
• Search and Rescue Ribbon
• Red Service Ribbon (years of CAP service)
• Leadership or training ribbons

The triangular devices on the ribbons are CAP bronze propeller devices, meaning multiple awards of the same ribbon.

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Other Insignia

Shoulder Mark

The shoulder board with two light blue bars likely indicates a CAP officer grade, possibly:

First Lieutenant or Captain (CAP rank)

CAP uses a rank system similar to the Air Force but for civilian members.

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Patch

West Virginia Wing – Civil Air Patrol

Each state has its own wing.