November 7-8, 2018 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018
Lot contains: A) U.S. Navy G-1 flight jacket made by Cagleco Sportswear. The upper left breast features a leather tag, gilt embossed with Naval Aviator wing over "G.R. Henderson Rear Admiral, USN", showing moderate wear and light crazing. CONDITION: The jacket exhibits moderate wear. There is a rip in the right shoulder and wear to the fur collar. Zipper missing its pull tab. B) Khaki U.S. Navy officer's jacket, the interior label stamped "G.R. Henderson R. Admiral USN". CONDITION: Jacket is in excellent condition but missing shoulder boards. C) Khaki U.S. Navy officer's jacket. CONDITION: Heavy wear, no buttons or shoulder boards. Also included is a U.S. Navy khaki shirt. CONDITION: Excellent condition. In 1917 George Henderson entered the Naval Reserve Flying Corps and in 1922 was transferred to the regular Navy in the grade of Lieutenant. After flight training he was assigned to Aircraft Squadrons Atlantic in June 1922. Here he set ten world records for seaplane performance at the Naval Air Show in Bayshore Park, Maryland on October 25, 1924. In November 1924 he was assigned as Chief Pilot of the Navy Test Board. Prior to the commencement of World War II, Henderson served as Executive Officer of the aircraft carrier Hornet and on April 18, 1942 was aboard Hornet when she participated in the Doolittle Raid against the Japanese home islands. After his tour on Hornet he served a short stint as Chief of Staff and Air to Commander Patrol Wing Two in June 1942. Promoted to Captain, Henderson commanded the carrier Princeton in February 1943. Princeton participated in the First and Second Rabaul Air Strikes, on November 5 and 11, 1943. By January 1944 Henderson was serving as Commander Aircraft, Munda and Commander Fleet Air Wing One and was promoted to Rear Admiral in July 1944, taking command of Carrier Division 28. Between September 1944 and early 1945 he successively participated in the Invasion of Palau, Battle of Leyte Gulf, and Invasion of Lingayen Gulf. In February 1945 he took command of Carrier Division 25 for the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As the war was winding down in August 1945, Henderson was serving ashore as Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Point, Rhode Island. In August 1950, shortly after the start of the Korean War, Henderson served as Commander Fleet Air, Japan. He assumed command of Carrier Division 5 in May 1951 and as Commander of Task Force 77 during operations in Korea from May to August 1951. In October 1951 he served as Commander of Naval Air Bases, 11th & 12th Naval Districts headquartered in San Diego, California. Henderson retired in 1954 with the rank of Vice Admiral, one of two World War II naval aviator admirals to have gone from Seaman to Admiral. From the Ray Bentley collection.
Item Dimensions: Largest : 34 -1/2" x 19".