8th AAF Sweetheart Pin Gold & Enamel Mighty 8th Home Front Jewelry

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

8th AAF Sweetheart Pin Gold & Enamel Mighty 8th Home Front Jewelry:
$134.95

This listing represents a first for me. Here you have an apparent custom, World War II 8th Army Air Forces Souvenir Sweetheart Pin. The customized vintage Home Front Jewelry depicts a gold and enamel winged 8 suspended by a pin. The pin is of early War design. The 8th AAF Souvenir Sweetheart Pin is in outstanding condition.

8th AAF Souvenirs were very popular during WWII, especially since the Mighty 8th representing the first Americans taking the offensive against Germany and the Axis. This pin appears to be customized. It is not maker marked. The three bar pin mount could be gold or gold filled. The gold and enamel 8 was applied to the face of the feathered wings. The wings look gold washed; however, the 8 may well be gold or gold filled. There is an early Wartime Pin with needle and cradle on the reverse. The pin measures 1.5 by 1.25 inches.

The 8th AAF flew Air Combat Missions in the European Air Offensive, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes - Alsace, Central Europe and towards the end of the war the Asian Pacific Theater. Curiously, the Mighty 8th never received any awards, though elements of the 8th were decorated. I find this curious as the 8th Air Force represented the first Americans fighting in Europe in World War II, and the Mighty 8th was glamorized in virtually all post war movies and the Television Series, 12 O\'Clock High.

Those serving in the 8th included aviation legends (commanding generals) like Generals Ira Eaker and Jimmy Doolittle, decorated Hollywood Stars Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable, and atomic bomb B29 Pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets (and other 8th AAF veterans who went on to fly B29s in the Pacific). Veterans of the 8th Air Force wrote many post war books including experiences as POWs.

The 8th AAF and the struggles of daylight precision bombing early in World War II were captured by the gripping melodrama, 12 O’Clock High, starring Gregory Peck as well as Command Decision starring Clark Gable. I never tire of watching either movie. Stalag 17 captured the life of airmen who were lucky enough to bailout of stricken bombers alive only to become POWs. I never tire of that film, either.

The WWII Custom made, 8th AAF Souvenir Sweetheart Pin is just what you need to complete your WWII AAF or 8th Army Air Forces and Sweetheart Souvenir Presentation. It would look terrific used in a re-enactment or displayed in a shadow box.

The domestic buyer is offered Free Expedited Shipping Service with a box and tracking. International buyers are offered discounted, registered, 1st Class Mail International with a padded bag to track and protect their purchase.

This beautifully crafted, original, customized WWII 8th AAF Gold and Enamel Winged 8 Souvenir Sweetheart Pin in outstanding condition would make a fabulous addition, upgrade and/or completion to a WWII AAF or 8th AAF and Souvenir Sweetheart collection. It also would be absolutely perfect for re-enactment, your GI display, museums, and for educational and theatrical presentations. I am listing a number of caps, uniform items, field gear, ribbons, insignia, home front pieces, etc, this week. Please do a seller-search using my username: martinolij to check it out. Thank you.

Buyers please read this carefully. Payment is due within 7 days of your purchase date. I accept Pay Pal. Items will ship within a business day of your payment. Tracking is mandatory for all Pay Pal domestic transactions and will be provided. I ship world wide for all countries recognized by Pay Pal. Shipping are provided. I save all Postal Service Receipts as well as copies of your payment as proof of delivery and completion of the transaction. It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to these terms.I have enjoyed interacting with buyers from four continents and dozens of countries. Many have been veterans, active duty GIs, home front family members in our war, authors, artists, teachers, museum curators, etc. You are encouraged to email with questions. I believe communication is the key to successful transactions. Thank You.