The Case:
A Louisiana man received a military style footlocker that someone discovered dumpster diving. It was filled with papers that apparently belonged to a World War II airman, Lionel B. Potter. Along with the documents he found two patches embroidered with evocative symbols: a bird in the clouds dropping a bomb. Is this a unit insignia?
Years of searching turned up no answers. So he’s turned the investigation over to History Detectives host Wes Cowan. Were these patches used in World War II? Who made them and why?
More Information
Southern Museum of Flight
4343 73rd Street North
Birmingham, AL 35206
(205) 833-8226
southernmuseumofflight.org
Alabama Veterans Memorial
Liberty Park exit (exit 23) off I-459 North
Birmingham, AL 35236
www.alabamaveterans.org
Commemorative Air Force B-29/B-24 Squadron
4730 George Haddaway Drive
Addison, TX 75001
www.cafb29b24.org
Excerpts From The Journal of Lionel Potter
Read excerpts from Lionel Potter's journal written during his service in WWII.
-
Cover
-
Notice to Finder
-
Jan 10th 11th 12th, 1943
-
Jan 10th 11th 12th, 1943
-
March 5th, 1943
-
March 5th, 1943
-
March 5th, 1943
-
March 5th, 1943
-
March 5th, 1943
-
March 5th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
-
September 28th, 1943
Related Links
Explore
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Jefferson Pledge
Did the transformation of the nation's public education system begin with this $200 pledge?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Jigsaw Puzzle
Does this puzzle depict a real event - women playing contact sports in the late 19th century?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Jim Thorpe Ticket
Is this ticket evidence of a chapter of Thorpe's career forgotten by history: as a professional basketball player?
-
Also in Season 10
Motown Amp
Did this amp boom the bass line of the Motown sound?
-
Related Investigation
Ernie Pyle's Typewriter
Did America’s most beloved battlefront correspondent bang out his dispatches on this Corona 3?
-
Related Investigation
3D Cuban Missile Crisis
Did this portable projection screen help save the Free World?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.