Lee Kendall Signed 11x14 Photograph (PSA) WWII P-61 Lady in the Dark Pilot

Presented is a hand-signed 11x14 diagram print of the Northrop P-61 Black Widow, personally autographed by Captain Lee Kendall, the pilot of the famed P-61 “Lady in the Dark.” Kendall has added multiple personal inscriptions alongside his signature, reflecting his historic combat experiences as a night-fighter pilot during World War II. The autograph has been authenticated by PSA/DNA and is accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring both verification and long-term preservation.

Captain Lee Kendall served with the 548th Night Fighter Squadron, part of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ pioneering effort to achieve air superiority under the cover of darkness. Flying the revolutionary P-61 Black Widow, the first American aircraft designed specifically for radar-equipped night interception, Kendall distinguished himself as one of the leading pilots in this elite unit.

His aircraft, “Lady in the Dark,” earned a place in aviation history by achieving what is recognized as the final aerial victory of World War II. On the night of August 14, 1945, while patrolling over Okinawa, Kendall and his radar operator intercepted a Japanese Ki-44 “Tojo” fighter. Without firing a single shot, their skillful maneuvering forced the enemy aircraft into the sea—marking the last confirmed aerial kill of the war, just hours before the ceasefire.

Kendall’s service exemplified the bravery, precision, and innovation that characterized the night-fighter crews of the Second World War. The P-61 Black Widow and its pilots like Kendall helped define the tactics and technologies that would evolve into modern all-weather and radar-guided air combat.

This large-format 11x14 P-61 diagram print—personally inscribed and signed by Captain Lee Kendall and authenticated by PSA/DNA—represents a historically significant artifact from one of the most extraordinary chapters in American aviation history.

Signer: Captain Lee Kendall, P-61 Black Widow Pilot, “Lady in the Dark”

Aircraft: Northrop P-61 Black Widow

Unit: 548th Night Fighter Squadron, U.S. Army Air Forces

Medium: Hand-signed in ink with multiple inscriptions on 11x14 aircraft diagram print

Authentication: PSA/DNA, with Certificate of Authenticity

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds’ website.

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.