December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
Excellent World War II grouping attributed to Staff Sergeant Walter Ciesla, who was a B-24 tail gunner in the 449th Bomb Group, 718th Bomb Squadron. Ciesla was born on August 22, 1922 in Southbridge Massachusetts. In December 1943, he began his service by enlisting at Fort Devens, Ma. Ciesla became a member of the Army Air Forces and trained as a gunner aboard B-24 Liberators and was assigned to the 718th Bomb Squadron of the 449th Bomb Group. The 449th Bomb Group was attached to the 15th Air Force and was based in Italy throughout the war. Ciesla was assigned to the B-24 "My Achin' Back" piloted by George Mason. On September 12, 1944, "My Achin' Back" made an emergency landing on the beach near Loreto, Italy which was just south of the German lines. The plane was recovered and sent back into service. Despite the crash landing, Ciesla and the rest of Mason's crew continued to fly, but less than a month later they would be knocked out of the sky once more. On November 8, 1944 during a mission over Yugoslavia, Ciesla's B-24 suffered several direct hits by flak after releasing their bombs forcing the crew to bail out. For their actions during the mission Ciesla's pilot George Mason would be awarded the Silver Star, and Co-pilot Richard Slade would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Once on the ground, the crew was aided by partisans and avoided capture. Ciesla survived the war and passed away in January 2000. The group consists of: (A) Ciesla's four pocket tunic with machine sewn 15th Air Force patch and staff sergeant patches. The collar boasts AAF collar discs and beautiful theater made 449th Bomb Group DIs. the chest is adorned with Ciesla's sterling marked air crew wings and awards which include the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and Purple Heart. Below the ribbons is an excellent caterpillar club pin marked "PRES BY / IRVING"" on the reverse. CONDITION: The tunic exhibits various moth nips especially on the wearer's left arm. Overall very good. (B) Officer's quality shirt made by Yale with machine sewn patches. The shirt displays Ciesla's awards like the jacket, except the shirt has sterling marked gunner wings and 1/2" wide ribbon bars including the DFC, Air Medal, and Purple Heart. CONDITION: The shirt retains all of its original buttons and has some slight staining. Overall very good. (C) Folder of Documents pertaining to Ciesla's service including: Caterpillar Club certificate and card both ID'D to Ciesla, newspaper clipping listing Ciesla as MIA, small 449th Bomb Group booklet, Tyndall Field Flexible Gunnery Class book, "Your Body in Flight" book, Gulfport Field book, FDR book, and a 9x7 photo of Ciesla in his flight jacket. CONDITION: All ephemera is in very good condition for its age but pieces do exhibit fading and blemishes that are typical of old paper. Overall good. JD
Item Dimensions: 17" x 18" x 8"