December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
Great 1930s Army Air Corps photo album with wonderful content named from a young Paul T. Cullen, who would later have an extensive career in the US Air Force. Cullen was born in Ica, Peru on May 30, 1901. He later moved to California and in his young adult years entered the service as a flying cadet in 1928. A year later, after graduating from primary and advanced flying schools, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Reserve. His first assignment was at Crissy Field, California, where he served with the 91st Observation Squadron. He would see service around the United States as he entered the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field, Illinois and was then sent to Mitchel Field, New York upon the completion of the photo courses. Throughout his time in New York, he commanded the 8th and 14th Photo Sections, and served with the 61st Service Squadron and the 1st, 5th, and 99th Squadrons of the 9th Observation Group. He was also a flight commander with the 97th Observation Squadron and operations officer in the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron. During World War II Cullen was sent overseas as a military observer with the Royal Air Force in the Middle and Far East. He was later selected to head a special reconnaissance mission to Africa, and upon his return in July, was assigned as commander of the First Mapping Group, with headquarters in Washington D.C. Unfortunately in 1943, Cullen broke his back in an aviation related accident. Cullen did not let his back injury stand in the way of his service and after his recovery he was sent overseas to command the 7th Photo Group of the 8th Air Force. In February, 1944, he was assigned on temporary duty with the U.S. Military Mission in Moscow for the purpose of setting up reconnaissance bases in the Ukraine. Cullen was successful with negotiations for the establishment of these bases and he became the deputy commander for operations of the Eastern Command of the U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe. He later made the first shuttle flight into the Ukraine in an unarmed F-5 on May 26, 1944. Later that same year, he assumed command of the Second Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force in Italy. After VE Day, he was sent to the Marianas Islands with the 20th Air Force and returned to the Unites States after VJ day. His career continued into the post war years until March 23, 1951 when a C-124 he was flying on ditched in the ocean 800 miles southwest of Ireland after a cargo fire. The crew made it out of the Globemaster II safely and loaded into life rafts. A B-29 from the 509th located the survivors and reported their position, however no ships or aircraft arrived to the coordinates until March 25, 1951, two days after the crash. None of the crew were ever recovered and General Cullen remains missing to this day. The album preserves Cullen's memory and features over 200 photos spread out over 116 pages. The photos are great and they depict early Air Corps aircraft, both in flight and on the ground, photos of barracks, vehicles, mascots in flight gear (dogs), gunnery practice, and training. There are also photos of aviation accidents and photos as well as photos of General Spaatz and other high ranking US officers at the time. Most of the aircraft exhibit the 43d Aero Squadron emblem and were taken during Cullen's time at Kelly Field, Texas. Also included are many photos of aircraft in formation great aerial photos, and pilots goofing around. The photos vary in sizes but are mostly clear and provide great insight to the life of a 1930s Air Corps officer. CONDITION: Some of the photos exhibit fading, and it appears as though some were overexposed. Most of the photos are clear and their edges remain sharp. Some pages exhibit creases and small tears. The album no longer retains the binding strings so all of the pages are loose. Despite this, the album is very well preserved. Overall very good. JLD