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
Cleveland Electric Car
What happened to the electric street car network in Cleveland?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Survivor Camera
Did this antique camera save a Polish Jew during the Holocaust?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
U.S.S Olympia Glass
Could this farmhouse door have sailed into battle in one of the country's greatest naval victories?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Szyk Picture
Could these be early drawings of America's most influential political cartoonist?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Exercise Records
What role did these records play in the sculpting of america's fixation with fitness?
-
Related Investigation
Teddy Roosevelt War Club
What could this strange object have to do with Teddy Roosevelt and his run for a third term presidency?
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.